Classification
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Sonchus asper (L.) Hill, Herb. Brit. (Hill) 47 (1769)
Synonymy:
  • Sonchus oleraceus var. asper L., Sp. Pl. 794 (1753)
Vernacular Name(s):
Kautara; Prickly sow thistle; Pūhā tiotio; Puhapuha; Raurōroa; Rough sow thistle; Taweke; Tiotio; Wekeweke
 Description

Annual or biennial. Roots tap and fibrous. Stem erect, usually simple, finely grooved or ribbed, glabrous, (15)–20–60–(180) cm tall. Lvs firm-textured, ± shiny, usually green or rarely glaucous above, paler to ± glaucous beneath, glabrous, lanceolate to oblanceolate or obovate; margins sinuate-dentate with prickly-spinose teeth. Rosette and lower stem lvs tapering to expanded auriculate base, (4)–10–20–(40) × (1.5)–3–6–(15) cm, pinnatifid to c. 1/2 way to midrib or rarely not lobed; lobes recurved to spreading, triangular to lanceolate. Upper lvs pinnatifid or not lobed, narrowly triangular to subulate, with rounded amplexicaul auricles at base. Infl. cymose to umbellate; capitula few to many. Involucre 10–15 mm long, turbinate to cylindric; bracts imbricate, reflexed at fruiting, glabrous or rarely with tangled white short branching hairs and sparse long pale glandular hairs. Receptacle glabrous. Florets 11/2× length of involucre; corolla tube > ligule; ligules spreading, yellow. Achenes elliptic, pale brown, strongly flattened, 2.5–3 × 1–1.6 mm, 3-ribbed on each face, winged; spaces between ribs smooth; ribs and edges of wings smooth or finely scabrid. Pappus fine, white, c. = involucre.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
 Phenology

Flowering: (Sep.)–Oct.–Mar.–(Jun.); Fruiting: (Sep.)–Oct.–Mar.–(Jun.)

 Bibliography
Hill, J. 1769: Herbarium Britannicum, exhibens plantas Britanniæ indigenas secundum methodum floralem novam digestas, cum historia, descriptione, characteribus specificis, viribus, et usis: tabulis æneis illustratum. Vol. 1. London.
Linnaeus, C. 1753: Species Plantarum. Impensis Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm.