Japanese name: ウスジロノゲシ（薄白野芥子） Scientific name:Sonchus oleraceus f. lilacina
[Overview]
A biennial 50–100 cm tall, found in vacant lots and along roadsides.
White milky sap comes out when the stems or leaves are damaged.
The stem is thick, soft and hollow, with ridges.
There are both basal leaves and stem leaves.
The basal leaves are irregularly pinnately cut.
The stem leaves are alternate, with a pointed, ear-shaped base that projects and clasps the stem.
The lower the leaf on the stem, the deeper and more irregular the cuts.
The upper part of the stem branches and bears white flower heads about 2 cm across.
The flower stalks sometimes have glandular hairs.
The main flowering season is April–July, but it can be seen in flower all year round.
The fruit is an achene with a white pappus.
