Sonchus L.

5 species in Aust. (1 native, 4 naturalized); all states and territories

Herbs with milky latex and hollow stems. Leaves basal and cauline; cauline leaves stem-clasping. Heads in irregular corymbs. Involucre ovoid in bud, later conical; bracts numerous, herbaceous, unequal, in several rows. Florets all ligulate, yellow, exceeding the involucre. Cypselas flattened. Pappus of numerous white silky hairs up to 8 mm long.