Smooth Sow-thistle
Sonchus oleraceus

There are many yellow flowers of the daisy family that are remarkably similar to those of the dandelion. Also known as Milk Thistle, Smooth (or common) Sow-thistle flowers first appear in May and can be seen in bloom on wasteland, and other disturbed ground, blooming as late as November. The Sow-thistles are easily distinguished by their spiny, greyish-green leaves and their lower leaves are divided to the midrib into lobes of which the last is much the biggest and often the widest. Sow-thistles have been cultivated for their edible leaves by the Maoris of New Zealand.