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Synonyms: |
Sonchus gigas Humbert Sonchus oleraceus L. var. asper L. |
Common names: | Prickly sow-thistle (English) |
Frequency: | |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Robust, erect annual or perennial herb, 20-200 cm tall. Stems solitary, branching near the inflorescence, hollow, ribbed to angular, mostly hairless, sometimes glandular hairy above. Leaves with basal lobes conspicuously clasping the stem, more or less oblanceolate in outline, hairless, more or less glaucous; margins with irregular, sometimes lobe-like, spine-tipped teeth. Capitula stalked, forming corymbose clusters. Involucre often swollen at the base. Florets numerous, yellow, with rays up to 4 mm long. |
Notes: | |
Derivation of specific name: | asper: rough |
Habitat: | Occurring in moist or swampy soil near margins of dams, lakes, pans and rivers or as a weed of cultivation. |
Altitude range: (metres) | |
Flowering time: | |
Worldwide distribution: | Widespread in Africa, Eurasia and Madagascar |
Zimbabwe distribution: | N,C,E,S |
Growth form(s): | |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Images last updated: | Tuesday 18 January 2011 |
Literature: |
Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 28. Also as Sonchus gigas Pickering, H. & Roe, E. (2009). Wild Flowers of the Victoria Falls Area Helen Pickering, London Page 40. (Includes a picture). Pope, G.V. (1992). Compositae Flora Zambesiaca 6(1) Pages 225 - 229. As Sonchus asper (Includes a picture). Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 38. |
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