Key to Tasmanian Dicots
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Sonchus (Asteraceae) 2:389

Sonchus oleraceus

S. oleraceus

S. asper

Tasmania has one native and two introduced species of Sonchus (Sow Thistles). These are all short-lived herbs with erect, leafy stems, taproots and abundant milky latex. S. oleraceus is a very common weed in gardens and waste areas. S. hydrophilus is similar and is an uncommon coastal plant. S. asper is also common has distinct soft spines especially on the leaf margins.

Actites megalocarpa was included in the Students Flora as Sonchus megalocarpus It resembles S. asper, but is a sand-dune species with rhizomes instead of a taproot.

 
 

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Contact: Greg.Jordan@utas.edu.au