About Sonchus oleraceus L.
Sonchus oleraceus L. is an annual plant with a hollow, upright stem that grows 30 to 100 centimetres (12 to 39 inches) high. It prefers growing in full sun and can tolerate most soil conditions. Its flowers are hermaphroditic, and bees and flies are common pollinators for this species. It spreads via seeds that are carried by wind or water.
The leaves of Sonchus oleraceus L. can be eaten as salad greens, or cooked in the same way as spinach. This species is one of the plants used as kŭcài (苦菜; literally bitter vegetable) in Chinese cuisine. Younger leaves of this plant are less bitter and are better suited for eating raw. Steaming can remove the bitterness from older leaves. The younger roots are also edible, and can be used as a coffee substitute.
