Photographs: Co. Cork

Prickly Sow-thistle Sonchus asper Bleachtán colgach Family: Asteraceae Flowering time: June-October. Annual. Native. Many yellow flowerheads followed by dandelion-like seedheads. Pinnate, usually wavy leaves with numerous prickly teeth on margins and rounded leaf-bases. Hairless. Height: 30-90cm. Common on waste ground, roadsides, arable land. Similar: Perennial Sow-thistle, Sonchus arvensis has larger deeper yellow flowers and hairy flower stems.

Prickly Sow-thistle, Sonchus asper, Bleachtán colgach