Japanese name: オニノゲシ（鬼野芥子） Scientific name:Sonchus asper
[Overview]
A winter annual 1–2 m tall, found in vacant lots, roadsides and similar places.
White milky sap comes out when the stem or leaves are damaged.
The stem is thick and hollow.
There are basal leaves and stem leaves; the basal leaves are oblong and pinnately cut.
The leaves on the stem are alternate, and the lower the leaf on the stem, the deeper and more irregular the cuts.
The leaves are thick and glossy, and the margins have teeth ending in spines.
The leaf base projects in a rounded, ear-like shape and clasps the stem.
The ears have many sharp teeth.
The upper part of the stem branches and bears yellow flower heads about 2 cm across, made up entirely of ray florets.
The fruit is an achene with a white pappus.
[History]
It was recorded in Tokyo in the Meiji era (1892) and has become naturalized throughout Japan.
