Differences between Sonchus and Dandelions

1. Leaf Difference

The leaves of Sonchus endive are alternate, lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, 8 to 20 cm long and 2 to 5 cm wide, with obtuse tips and ear-shaped bases.

Dandelion leaves are obovate-lanceolate, oblong-lanceolate or oblanceolate, 4 to 20 cm long and 1 to 5 cm wide. The tip of the leaves is obtuse or acute, and the edges are sometimes pinnately fissured or wavy, sometimes inclining to pinnately fissures or large-headed pinnately fissures, with the lobes at the top being relatively large.

2. Flower Differences

The flowers of Sonchus endive are terminal capitula, single or umbel-shaped, 2 to 4 cm in diameter, ligulate, and bright yellow in color.

The dandelion has one or several peduncles, 10 to 25 cm high, purple-red on the upper part, and the diameter of the inflorescence head is about 30 to 40 cm. The ligulate flowers are yellow, and the tongue is about 8 mm long and 1.5 mm wide.