Taxonomy

Sonchus brachyotus DC., Prodr. 7(1): 186. 1838.

Description

Propagule or dispersal unit is the fruit with pappus. Fertile part 2-3 mm long, 0.3-0.9 mm wide, in side view widest in upper part (obovoid) or widest in the middle, +/- straight or conspicuously curved, the upper (apical) end narrowing, in cross-section flattened, basal scar (carpopodium) inconspicuous and undifferentiated, central, beak (=thinner sterile stalk between seed and pappus) absent, wings absent, fruit surface light brown or straw, smooth (except at cellular level) or with round protrusions or bumps, with no hairs (glabrous), thickened margin absent, longitudinal ribs present, 8-15, their surfaces bumpy or notched, with no hairs (glabrous).

Pappus type bristles / hairs, pappus elements all +/- similar, up to 8-13 mm long, in several rows, pappus elements numerous, persistent, the individual bristles rough / serrated (barbellate), rarely smooth (by misinterpretation), +/- equal width along length, white / translucent.

Notes: Of the three Sonchus species with bumpy rib surfaces, S. brachyotus has the longest pappus bristles at 8-13 mm versus 3-10 mm in the other species, and its fruit surface is without hairs or papillae (glabrous).

Ecology

Perennial herb, fruits wind-dispersed. Temperate and mountain areas, preferring alkaline soils. Found on grassy slopes, and along rivers.

Native range

 Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, China, Korea, Japan, Thailand.

Past interceptions (Australia): origins

Korea.

Other or unidentified species of the genus from United States, Colombia, Ecuador, Spain, United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Kenya, China, Korea, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia.

Past interceptions (Australia): commodities

New vehicles.

Other or unidentified species of the genus from cut flowers, dried herbs (medicinal), fresh fruit, machinery and parts, new vehicles.