Phoenix Canariensis

Sonchus palmenis, the La Palma sow-thistle, is a plant endemic to the Canary Island of La Palma.

Description

Tall shrub up to 2 m. Leaves pinnatisect with 10-15 pairs of equally spaced lobes, the lobes 6–40 mm wide. Inflorescence very large and dense, compound-corymbose. Individual heads with 30-50 yellow ray florets but no disc florets.

Distribution in La Palma

Widespread especially along the east coast, Fuencaliente, Mazo, Santa Cruz, Las Breñas, Puntallana, La Galga, Los Tilos, etc. west coast, Los Llanos, etc., up to 1000 m in the lower and forest zones.