Sonchus tenerrimus
| Sonchus tenerrimus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| S. tenerrimus (right) with S. oleraceus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Tribe: | Cichorieae |
| Genus: | Sonchus |
| Species: | S. tenerrimus |
| Binomial name | |
| Sonchus tenerrimus L. | |
Sonchus tenerrimus is a species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common name slender sow thistle. It is native to Europe, but it is known practically worldwide as a common weed similar to several other species of sow thistle. This annual or perennial herb produces a slender, branching stem up to about 80 centimeters tall. The leaves are deeply divided into many variously-shaped lobes which may have toothed edges or smaller lobes. The inflorescence bears flower heads lined with glandular, hairy to woolly phyllaries. They are filled with yellow ray florets. The fruit is an achene up to a centimeter long including its pappus.