Sonchus asper

Prickly Sowthistle at Watson, ACT

Sonchus asper at Watson, ACT - 8 Oct 2016
Sonchus asper at Watson, ACT - 8 Oct 2016
Sonchus asper at Watson, ACT - 8 Oct 2016
Sonchus asper at Watson, ACT - 8 Oct 2016
Sonchus asper at Watson, ACT - 8 Oct 2016
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Identification history

Sonchus asper 2 Apr 2018 BettyDonWood
Sonchus oleraceus 7 Dec 2016 BettyDonWood
Unidentified 7 Dec 2016 ArcherCallaway

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4 comments

BettyDonWood wrote:
   8 Dec 2016
It looks like Sonchus. Pity the photo of the leaves does not have the detail to make a definite ID. There are two common weedy species in the ACT.
Were the leaves soft (oleraceus), or leathery with spiny edges (asper)? The native species has not been seen since about 1973. It has leathery leaves that are not spiny.
   8 Dec 2016
I have added a few crops of the leaves- hopefully they help. I didn't feel the leaves , probably because I thought they were spikey
BettyDonWood wrote:
   8 Dec 2016
The lobes at the base of the leaves in oleraceus are pointed, which they appear to be in your photos. The lobes at the base of the leaves in asper are rounded.
BettyDonWood wrote:
   2 Apr 2018
Mike pointed out that this needed revisiting. On looking more closely, I could see that the bases of the leaves do not appear to be lobed. Vicflora says the lobes in asper are rounded and pressed close to the stem.

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Nearby sightings

Page 1 of 2 - image sightings only

Hortophora sp. (genus) (Garden orb weaver) at Watson Green Space - 18 Mar 2024 by AniseStar
Anzora unicolor (Grey Planthopper) at Watson Green Space - 18 Mar 2024 by AniseStar
Tipanaea patulella (A Crambid moth) at Watson Green Space - 18 Mar 2024 by AniseStar
Chauliognathus lugubris (Plague Soldier Beetle) at Watson, ACT - 18 Mar 2024 by AniseStar
Erigeron bonariensis (Flaxleaf Fleabane) at Watson Green Space - 18 Mar 2024 by AniseStar
Glyphipterix cyanochalca (A sedge moth) at Watson Green Space - 18 Mar 2024 by AniseStar
Vanellus miles (Masked Lapwing) at Watson, ACT - 15 Mar 2024 by AniseStar
Phalacrocorax sulcirostris (Little Black Cormorant) at Watson, ACT - 15 Mar 2024 by AniseStar
Gallirallus philippensis (Buff-banded Rail) at Watson, ACT - 14 Mar 2024 by AniseStar
Ambigolimax nyctelia (Striped Field Slug) at Watson Green Space - 5 Feb 2024 by AniseStar
Ledromorpha planirostris (A leafhopper) at Watson Green Space - 5 Feb 2024 by AniseStar
Porphyrio melanotus (Australasian Swamphen) at Watson Green Space - 5 Feb 2024 by AniseStar
Fulica atra (Eurasian Coot) at Watson, ACT - 2 Feb 2024 by AniseStar
Chenonetta jubata (Australian Wood Duck) at Watson, ACT - 2 Feb 2024 by AniseStar
Alisma plantago-aquatica (Water Plantain) at Watson, ACT - 30 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Chelodina longicollis (Eastern Long-necked Turtle) at Watson, ACT - 30 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Chenonetta jubata (Australian Wood Duck) at Watson, ACT - 29 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Gallinula tenebrosa (Dusky Moorhen) at Watson, ACT - 29 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Microcarbo melanoleucos (Little Pied Cormorant) at Watson Green Space - 29 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Manorina melanocephala (Noisy Miner) at Watson, ACT - 29 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Leucauge dromedaria (Silver dromedary spider) at Watson Green Space - 26 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Hedera helix (Ivy) at Watson, ACT - 26 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Ligustrum lucidum (Large-leaved Privet) at Watson, ACT - 26 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Chironomidae (family) (Non-biting Midge) at Watson Green Space - 26 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Phallus rubicundus (Phallus rubicundus) at Watson, ACT - 26 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Gallinula tenebrosa (Dusky Moorhen) at Watson Green Space - 26 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Callistemon sp. (A Bottlebrush) at Watson Green Space - 26 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Xanthocryptus novozealandicus (Lemon tree borer parasite wasp) at Watson Green Space - 26 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Portulaca oleracea (Pigweed, Purslane) at Watson Green Space - 26 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Vespula germanica (European wasp) at Watson Green Space - 26 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Rosa rubiginosa (Sweet Briar, Eglantine) at Watson Green Space - 26 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Fraxinus sp. (An Ash) at Watson Green Space - 26 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Ulmus parvifolia (Chinese Elm) at Watson Green Space - 26 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Cirsium vulgare (Spear Thistle) at Watson Green Space - 26 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Cyperus eragrostis (Umbrella Sedge) at Watson Green Space - 26 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Mentha spicata (Garden Mint) at Watson Green Space - 26 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Baumea articulata (Jointed Twig-rush) at Watson Green Space - 26 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Chelodina longicollis (Eastern Long-necked Turtle) at Watson, ACT - 26 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Ludwigia peploides subsp. montevidensis (Water Primrose) at Watson Green Space - 26 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Anisoptera (suborder) (Unidentified dragonfly) at Watson, ACT - 26 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Orthetrum caledonicum (Blue Skimmer) at Watson, ACT - 26 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Schoenoplectus validus (River Club-rush) at Watson, ACT - 26 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Gambusia holbrooki (Gambusia, Plague minnow, Mosquito fish) at Watson, ACT - 26 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Phalacrocorax sulcirostris (Little Black Cormorant) at Watson, ACT - 24 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Microcarbo melanoleucos (Little Pied Cormorant) at Watson, ACT - 24 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Phalacrocorax carbo (Great Cormorant) at Watson, ACT - 19 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Microcarbo melanoleucos (Little Pied Cormorant) at Watson, ACT - 19 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Ocyphaps lophotes (Crested Pigeon) at Watson, ACT - 19 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Phalacrocorax sulcirostris (Little Black Cormorant) at Watson, ACT - 19 Jan 2024 by AniseStar
Chenonetta jubata (Australian Wood Duck) at Watson, ACT - 19 Oct 2023 by AniseStar
Crinia parinsignifera (Plains Froglet) at BIL100: Billabong Pond, Watson - 18 Oct 2023 by liliya07
Crinia signifera (Common Eastern Froglet) at BIL100: Billabong Pond, Watson - 18 Oct 2023 by liliya07
Litoria verreauxii verreauxii (Whistling Tree-frog) at BIL100: Billabong Pond, Watson - 18 Oct 2023 by liliya07
Limnodynastes tasmaniensis (Spotted Grass Frog) at BIL100: Billabong Pond, Watson - 18 Oct 2023 by liliya07
Limnodynastes peronii (Brown-striped Frog) at BIL100: Billabong Pond, Watson - 18 Oct 2023 by liliya07
Hirundo neoxena (Welcome Swallow) at Watson, ACT - 16 Oct 2023 by AniseStar
Crinia parinsignifera (Plains Froglet) at BIL100: Billabong Pond, Watson - 11 Oct 2023 by liliya07
Limnodynastes peronii (Brown-striped Frog) at BIL100: Billabong Pond, Watson - 11 Oct 2023 by liliya07
Litoria verreauxii verreauxii (Whistling Tree-frog) at BIL100: Billabong Pond, Watson - 11 Oct 2023 by liliya07
Crinia signifera (Common Eastern Froglet) at BIL100: Billabong Pond, Watson - 11 Oct 2023 by liliya07
Limnodynastes tasmaniensis (Spotted Grass Frog) at BIL100: Billabong Pond, Watson - 11 Oct 2023 by liliya07
Cherax destructor (Common Yabby) at Watson, ACT - 14 Sep 2023 by AniseStar
Syrphini sp. (tribe) (Unidentified syrphine hover fly) at Watson, ACT - 9 Aug 2023 by Hejor1
Salsa fuliginata (Sooty Orb-weaver) at Watson, ACT - 9 Aug 2023 by Hejor1
Chironomidae (family) (Non-biting Midge) at Watson, ACT - 9 Aug 2023 by Hejor1
Muscidae (family) (Unidentified muscid fly) at Watson, ACT - 9 Aug 2023 by Hejor1
Sylvicola dubius (Wood-gnat) at Watson, ACT - 9 Aug 2023 by Hejor1
Ledromorpha planirostris (A leafhopper) at Watson, ACT - 9 Aug 2023 by Hejor1
Perca fluviatilis (Redfin) at Watson, ACT - 30 Jun 2023 by AniseStar
Manorina melanocephala (Noisy Miner) at Watson, ACT - 4 Jun 2023 by AniseStar
Polistes sp. (genus) (Unidentified paper wasp) at Watson, ACT - 4 Jun 2023 by AniseStar
Rosa sp. (A Wild Rose) at Watson, ACT - 4 Jun 2023 by AniseStar
Lonicera japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle) at Watson, ACT - 4 Jun 2023 by AniseStar
Nassella trichotoma (Serrated Tussock) at Watson, ACT - 4 Jun 2023 by AniseStar
Juncus usitatus (Common Rush) at Watson, ACT - 4 Jun 2023 by AniseStar
Microcarbo melanoleucos (Little Pied Cormorant) at Watson, ACT - 4 Jun 2023 by AniseStar
Cygnus atratus (Black Swan) at Watson, ACT - 11 May 2023 by AniseStar
Gasteruption sp. (genus) (Gasteruptiid wasp) at Watson, ACT - 29 Mar 2023 by Hejor1
Sapromyza brunneovittata (A lauxid fly) at Watson, ACT - 29 Mar 2023 by Hejor1
Opisthoncus sp. (genus) (Unidentified Opisthoncus jumping spider) at Watson, ACT - 29 Mar 2023 by Hejor1
Opisthoncus sp. (genus) (Unidentified Opisthoncus jumping spider) at Watson, ACT - 24 Mar 2023 by Hejor1
Pieris rapae (Cabbage White) at Watson, ACT - 24 Mar 2023 by Hejor1
Spoladea recurvalis (Beet Webworm) at Watson, ACT - 24 Mar 2023 by Hejor1
Ptilogyna sp. (genus) (A crane fly) at Watson, ACT - 24 Mar 2023 by Hejor1
Pterygophorus cinctus (Bottlebrush sawfly) at Watson, ACT - 24 Mar 2023 by Hejor1
Heteronympha merope (Common Brown Butterfly) at Watson, ACT - 24 Mar 2023 by Hejor1
Opisthoncus grassator (Jumping spider) at Watson, ACT - 24 Mar 2023 by Hejor1
Gallirallus philippensis (Buff-banded Rail) at Watson, ACT - 24 Mar 2023 by Hejor1
Oedosmylus tasmaniensis (Lacewing) at Watson, ACT - 24 Mar 2023 by Hejor1
Pergidae sp. (family) (Unidentified Sawfly) at Watson, ACT - 24 Mar 2023 by Hejor1
Servaea incana (Hoary Servaea) at Watson, ACT - 24 Mar 2023 by Hejor1
Mantidae (family) (Egg case of praying mantis) at Watson, ACT - 24 Mar 2023 by Hejor1
Anzora unicolor (Grey Planthopper) at Watson, ACT - 24 Mar 2023 by Hejor1
Maratus scutulatus (A jumping spider) at Watson, ACT - 24 Mar 2023 by Hejor1
Tetragnatha sp. (genus) (Long-jawed spider) at Watson, ACT - 24 Mar 2023 by Hejor1
Crocidosema plebejana (Cotton Tipworm Moth) at Watson, ACT - 24 Mar 2023 by Hejor1
Mutusca brevicornis (A broad-headed bug) at Watson, ACT - 24 Mar 2023 by Hejor1
Alisterus scapularis (Australian King-Parrot) at Watson, ACT - 24 Mar 2023 by Hejor1
Ocyphaps lophotes (Crested Pigeon) at Watson, ACT - 24 Mar 2023 by Hejor1
Chauliognathus lugubris (Plague Soldier Beetle) at Watson, ACT - 24 Mar 2023 by Hejor1

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Location information

Sighting information

  • 1 - 3 Abundance
  • 8 Oct 2016 12:44 PM Recorded on
  • ArcherCallaway Recorded by

Additional information

  • True In flower

Species information

  • Sonchus asper Scientific name
  • Prickly Sowthistle Common name
  • Not Sensitive
  • Exotic
  • Minor Weed or Pest
  • Up to 1176.91m Recorded at altitude
  • 54 images trained Machine learning
  • In flower
  • External link More information
  • Synonyms

    Sonchus asper subsp. glaucescens

Record quality

  • Images or audio
  • More than one media file
  • Confirmed by an expert moderator
  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
  • GPS evidence of location
  • Description
  • Additional attributes
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