It is most likely to be confused with a closely related species called prickly sow thistle (Sonchus asper), which looks very similar but has more prickly leaves than the sow thistle. The lobes in each ...

by forming multi-rosettes from buds located at the base of each leaf. Scotch thistle is commonly found in pastures, and also in orchards, lawns, waste areas and crops. As a vegetative rosette, it can ...