Annual Sowthistle

(Sonchus oleraceus)

Characteristics

Seedling	Leaves	Flowers	Fruit

Growing habits: Erect terrestrial annual herb

Root anatomy: Fibrous roots from short taproot

Leaf anatomy: Leaves alternately arranged, pinnately lobed, earlike lobe near leaf base, leaves often have toothed margins

Reproduction: Numerous flower heads surrounded by yellow bracts at apex of stem, produce achene fruits w/pappi when fertilized

^{References: Weeds of the South by Charles T. Bryson and Michael S. DeFelice}