1887 Sonchus arvensis L.

This rather variable species occurs as a more or less indigenous plant in most of Europe and large parts of Asia (subsp. brachyotus [DC.] Kitam.). Originating from regions of open ground, shores etc. it has spread with agriculture over large areas in Europe, S. Africa, Asia, N. and S. America, Australia and New Zealand. Today the species has a circumpolar distribution (Hultén, Circumpol. Il, p. 230 and map 222).