Difference Between Milk Thistle & Dandelion in the Field Indentification

Leaves

• Dandelions have deep lobed, serrated green leaves that grow in a rosette pattern around the center of the plant. They vary in size from 2 to 14 inches, according to the University of California Integrated Pest Management Program. Milk thistle's leaves grow to be around 20 inches long and 1 foot wide. Their serrated leaves are dark green with distinctive white marbling around the veins.

Flowers and Stems

• Milk thistle has multiple ridged stems that end in a spiny modified leaf called a bract, followed by a thistle-like flower. Its 2-inch wide, pom-pom shaped flowers are red or purple in color. Dandelions have leafless stalks rather than stems. Bright yellow, ray-like flowers and white puffballs grow from the stalks.

Seeds

• Dandelion seeds are contained in the puffballs. They are transported on the wind by means of a parachute-like structure attached to the seed. Each milk thistle plant produces approximately 5000 small, brown, shiny seeds.