Purple Sow-Thistle
Sonchus (?)
Alongside a sunny trail in Mt. Kenya Forest, Kirinyaga, Kenya, Africa. 2 June 2017.
Alongside a sunny trail in Mt. Kenya Forest, Kirinyaga, Kenya, Africa. 2 June 2017.
- Ray Flowers: All of the numerous florets are yellow and strap-shaped; these are tightly packed into a tall slender head.
- Disc Flowers: All the florets are similar in shape.
- Phyllaries: tall phyllaries enclose the florets and close even tighter as the seeds develop.
- Pappus: a dense fluff of cottony filaments top the seeds aiding in wind dispersal.
- Leaves: The simple leaves roughly triangular in shape and with basal lobes extended nearly completely around the stem. The lower leaves are larger than upper leaves. The stems and floral bracts are greenish purple in color.