Common Sow Thistle.Sonchus oleraceus.
Found in fields, and cultivated lands in August.
The stalk varies in height from 1 to 4 feet; it is single, and leafy, somewhat twisting, tougher in fibre thanS. asper, hollow, with a milky juice, and smooth. Color, a cool green.
The curiously cut leaf (about 6 inches long) is divided into a large triangular tip, a pair of acute-angled flaring side divisions, and narrow long-pointed bases which project like sharp-pointed wings beyond the stalk they clasp. Occasional leaves are not cut, and are merely lance-shaped. The midrib is flat above, and round beneath; the margin is toothed, with fine, weak spines; the texture is firm, and the surface is smooth and shining. Color, a fine cool green, the underside silvery with bloom. The arrangement is alternate.
The flowers are similar in color, size, and arrangement toS. asper. The foot-stems are sometimes bristly with short hairs, and at their junction occurs a long-pointed, small leaf, whose margin is entire. Below the flower-cluster the stalk is bare for a considerable space; single flower-heads spring from the angles of the leaves the greater part of its height.
The immature flower-heads are wrapped in a woolly blanket. The leaf is something like a Dandelion’s in shape, and interesting from a decorative point of view. These plants are said to be common to many countries,—Europe, Africa, and New Zealand. In the last-named region an old traveller says the parrots “of beauteous dyes, but odious accents” feed upon it.