Appearance

Appearance

This annual or biennial herb grows about 8–39 in (20–100 cm) tall, with an upright stem that branches mainly in its upper half.

Leaves

The middle and upper leaves are deeply lobed and clasp the stem with rounded, ear-like bases.

Flowers

Clusters of narrow yellow flower heads form at the ends of the main stem and branches.

Fruit

Each flower head produces narrow brown to black achenes topped by a white pappus.

Look-alikes

Common sowthistleSonchus oleraceus

Both have yellow flower heads and leaves that clasp the stem. Common sowthistle has larger, rougher leaves and broader flower heads; sonchus-leaf crepidiastrum has smaller, narrow heads and rounded ear-like leaf bases.

Why they get mixed up · The yellow heads and clasping leaves look similar in photographs.

Where it lives

Typical habitats

• roadsides
• grasslands
• rocky stream banks

Range

It grows wild from Korea and Mongolia through China to Vietnam. It is not recorded as established in the United States.

Preferred conditions

In its native range, it grows in open or disturbed places such as slopes, stream banks, and roadsides.

Name and classification

About the name

Older names include Youngia sonchifolia and Ixeris sonchifolia.

Conservation

IUCN Red List

NENot Evaluated·Not yet assessed