sow thistle

here is sonchus asper of the family asteraceae:

this plant is not native to North America, however it is found everywhere from Alaska to Puerto Rico. a common plant that does little to add to the urban landscape. when encountered in the woods it isn't so intrusive a plant. as part of the background, its yellow flower stands pleasantly out amongst the green and brown. when it is the sole plant growing in a sea of concrete, the flower does much less to soften the appearance of the plant, until one gets up close. even the commonest things may have a unique beauty.