Common Name: perennial sowthistle, field sowthistle, creeping sowthistleScientific Name: Sonchus arvensis L.Family Name: Asteraceae (Compositae) - Aster or Sunflower FamilyIdentification NotesLife Cycleintroduced perennial, reproducing by seed and creeping roots Stemsupright, smooth, glandular hairs above, branched sparsely above Leavesalternate, lobed irregularly to sometimes almost entire, lobes point toward leaf base, margin weakly spined, small round basal lobes sessile or slightly clasping Flowersheads of yellow ray (ligulate) florets; terminal clusters; form "puffball" when mature Other: contains milky sap