Prickly Sow-Thistle
Sonchus asper
Plants about 1 meter tall growing as a garden weed. Eldoret, Kenya. January 2012.
- Ray Flowers: ALL of the florets are strap-shaped like rays. Some around the perimeter of the head may be a little larger.
- Disc Flowers: the shorter strap-shaped florets at the center of the head appear similar to disc florets.
- Phyllaries: tall phyllaries enclose the florets and close even tighter as the seeds develop - small image at right.
- Pappus: a dense fluff of cottony filaments top the seeds aiding in wind dispersal. Notice in the image at right that a dense barrier of gland-tipped hairs are set below the developing seed head. Crawling insects intending to feed on the seeds may have difficulty reaching the seeds.
- Leaves: The simple leaves broadly elliptic with larger teeth that are margined with spiny smaller teeth. The largest leaves are clustered around the base.
Asteraceae -- Sunflower Family
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