Sonchus oleraceus

Common name: Common Sowthistle

Meaning of name:

Sonchus is a Latin word for sowthistle. Oleraceus is a Latin word pertaining to a kitchen garden.

Distribution:

Occurs throughout Australia.

Description:

An erect annual with hollow stems to 1.5 metres tall. The stems produce white latex when cut. The yellow flowers are produced from June to December.

Notes:

This species is originally from Eurasia and North Africa.

References:

Western Australian Plant Names and their Meanings, a Glossary. FA Sharr. Third edition 2019.

Western Weeds, A Guide to the Weeds of Western Australia. BMJ Hussey, GJ Keighery, J Dodd, SG Lloyd, RD Cousens. 1997.

Flora of the Perth Region. NG Marchant, JR Wheeler, BL Rye, EM Bennett, NS Lander, TD Macfarlane. 1987