Sow thistle, Cerraja

Annual or biennial plant. Grows up to 30-80 cm high. Leave with small thorns at the edges, green and surrounding the stem, dentated. The flowers are grouped in open florescences (corimbos) and are yellow coloured, The fruit is a silverish achene.

Prefers full sun, and can tolerate most soil conditions. The flowers are hermaphroditic, and common pollinators include bees and flies. It spreads by seeds being carried by wind or water.

Leaves are eaten as salad greens or cooked like spinach. Blanching or boiling removes bitter flavour.