nz plants

http://www.terrain.net.nz/friends-of-te-henui-group/weeds.html

Leontodon taraxacoides is a species of hawkbit known by the common name lesser hawkbit. It is native to Europe and North Africa but it can be found in many other places across the globe as an introduced species and often a noxious weed. This is a dandelion-like herb growing patches of many erect, leafless stems from a basal rosette of leaves. Atop the stems are solitary flower heads which are ligulate, containing layered rings of ray florets with no disc florets. The florets are yellow with toothed tips. The fruit is a cylindrical achenewith a pappus of scales. Fruits near the center of the flower head are rough, while those growing along the edges of the head are smooth

The smooth hawksbeard, Crepis capillaris, is a species of the Crepis genus, regarded as a native from the southern part of Northern Europe to northern part of central Europe. It can be found throughout the world as an introduced species and sometimes a garden weed. It is a low, annual plant commonly found on roadsides, flowering from July to September.

Purple Top  (Verbena bonariensis)

Verbena bonariensis is a tall and slender-stemmed perennial with creeping rhizomes. It can grow to 120 cm tall and can spread to 90 cm wide and can be found in metal dump and waste place areas. At maturity, it will develop a woody base. Fragrant lavender to rose-purple flowers are in tight clusters located on terminal and auxiliary stems, blooming from summer until autumn. 
The stems are square with bristly hairs on the angle. 
Leaves are ovate to ovate-lanceolate with a toothed margin and grow up to 10 cm long.
Common on wasteland Bellblock New Plymouth.

Sonchus kirkii

Puha, Coastal Puha, New Zealand Sowthistle

Sonchus kirkii, is a edible herb. The Maori name is Puha.

It is easily distinguished from all the other introduced sowthistles species by its very large, non-spinose, glaucous leaves.

It is very fast growing. with yellow daisy-like flowers.

It is an endangered species, the main threat seems to be from competition by faster growing weed species.

• Edible coastal herb 1 - 1.5m H x .5 W
• Full sun
• Tolerates dry, windy conditions
• Flowers over Summer