Sonchus kirkii

Declining (NZ TCS)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Sonchus
Species:
S. kirkii
Binomial name
Sonchus kirkii
Hamlin
Synonyms[2]
  • Sonchus littoralis (Kirk) Allan
  • Sonchus littoralis (Kirk) Cockayne

Sonchus kirkii, also known as New Zealand sow thistle, or shore puha is a herb in the Asteraceae family.[3] It grows in coastal New Zealand.[4]

Appearance

The shore puha has green leaves extending upwards with spiky sides. On the top is a yellow flower. The shore puha can grow up to 15-30 centimeters tall. Occasionally it grows up to 100 centimeters.[5]

Conservation status

The conservation status of the shore puha is currently at "declining" and its umbrella category is "at risk".[3]

Threats

Other species of Sow thistles that grow faster may be the reason for the shore puha to be at a declining status as it is outcompeted. The sowthistles Sonchus asper and Sonchus oleraceus can take over the habitats that the shore puha prefer and colonizing the area quicker. Up until the mid-1980s the shore puha was common, but since then its numbers have been declining.[3]

Maori use and Chinese market gardens

Market gardeners in NZ of Chinese background grew puha for their own consumption. It was a staple of the Māori diet and often grew wild in market gardens. Chinese Market Gardening in Australia and NZ Gardens of Prosperity page65

Other names

References

  1. ↑ "Assessment Details for Sonchus kirkii Hamlin". New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS) Department of Conservation (New Zealand). 2017. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  2. ↑ "Sonchus kirkii". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Sonchus kirkii". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  4. ↑ "Sonchus kirkii | Edimentals !". Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  5. ↑ "Sonchus kirkii - Useful Temperate Plants". temperate.theferns.info. Retrieved 2022-04-28.


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