Very similar to Sonchus oleraceous, but more spikey as the common English name suggests, the prickly sow-thistle, is collected when the leaves are young and tender to be eaten as a salad leaf or vegetable, zochos, one of many herbs collected by the islanders. The large yellow heads are formed of many ray florets with prominent dark stamens, which appear like double question marks. Characteristically the plants are covered in red glandular hairs, which exude a liquid that protects the plant from high light levels. The plant flowers in spring and autumn and may be found at all times of the year.