Sonchus arboreus

Foliage fans, come hither: the sumptuous leaves of this Madeiran shrub are just the thing to compliment that Hawaiian shirt you're wearing. We're talking tropical, here - huge & toothed atop (up to) 9' woody trunks, each can reach 2' in length & FAST ? it can become almost tree like within just a couple years. Only when this monstrous creature blooms is its association with the proliferous dandelion made plain. Huge sprays of 1" gold blooms are so irresistible to pollinators & quite pretty. Dandelions are dandy but Sonchus's common name is so much finer. Ready? "Macaronesian Giant Lion Teeth." Yeah!! Doesn't reseed, won't eat your lawn & actually does poorly with severe cold, so divorce that thing in your brain that's scowling, "GIANT WEED" & embrace the wondrous Sonchus clan! To 9' high, not very brancing, with adjustable width. 3'. Drought tolerant in the understory, but best with supplemental H2O. Rich soil makes for a finer specimen.