Sonchus tenerrimus
Encyclopedia
Sonchus tenerrimus is a species of flowering plant in the aster family
known by the common name slender sow thistle. It is native to Europe, but it is known practically worldwide as a common weed
similar to several other species of sow thistle
. This annual or perennial herb produces a slender, branching stem up to about 80 centimeters tall. The leaves are deeply divided into many variously-shaped lobes which may have toothed edges or smaller lobes. The inflorescence
bears flower heads
lined with glandular, hairy to woolly phyllaries
. They are filled with yellow ray florets. The fruit is an achene
up to a centimeter long including its pappus
.
Asteraceae
The Asteraceae or Compositae , is an exceedingly large and widespread family of vascular plants. The group has more than 22,750 currently accepted species, spread across 1620 genera and 12 subfamilies...
known by the common name slender sow thistle. It is native to Europe, but it is known practically worldwide as a common weed
Weed
A weed in a general sense is a plant that is considered by the user of the term to be a nuisance, and normally applied to unwanted plants in human-controlled settings, especially farm fields and gardens, but also lawns, parks, woods, and other areas. More specifically, the term is often used to...
similar to several other species of sow thistle
Sonchus
Sonchus is a genus of flowering plants in the daisy family Asteraceae. Most of the species are annual herbs, a few are perennial, and some are even woody...
. This annual or perennial herb produces a slender, branching stem up to about 80 centimeters tall. The leaves are deeply divided into many variously-shaped lobes which may have toothed edges or smaller lobes. The inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
bears flower heads
Head (botany)
The capitulum is considered the most derived form of inflorescence. Flower heads found outside Asteraceae show lesser degrees of specialization....
lined with glandular, hairy to woolly phyllaries
Bract
In botany, a bract is a modified or specialized leaf, especially one associated with a reproductive structure such as a flower, inflorescence axis, or cone scale. Bracts are often different from foliage leaves. They may be smaller, larger, or of a different color, shape, or texture...
. They are filled with yellow ray florets. The fruit is an achene
Achene
An achene is a type of simple dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. Achenes are monocarpellate and indehiscent...
up to a centimeter long including its pappus
Pappus (flower structure)
The pappus is the modified calyx, the part of an individual disk, ray or ligule floret surrounding the base of the corolla, in flower heads of the plant family Asteraceae. The pappus may be composed of bristles , awns, scales, or may be absent. In some species, the pappus is too small to see...
.