Sonchus canariensis, commonly known as Canary Island Sow-thistle or Tree Sonchus, is a perennial herb native to the laurel forests and craggy areas of the Canary Islands. This species typically forms a shrub-like structure with a thick, woody stem, reaching heights of up to 3 meters. The leaves of Sonchus canariensis are a distinctive feature, arranged in a terminal rosette on the branches, with pinnatisect leaves that have narrow foliar lobes, giving them a deeply lobed appearance. It produces showy inflorescences of capitula that are wide, up to 1.5 cm in diameter, with flowers that exhibit shades of blue, green, and yellow during the spring season.

The Canary Island Sow-thistle is valued for its unique appearance and is often used in ornamental plantings in subtropical and Mediterranean climates. It is drought-tolerant, making it suitable for xeriscaping and gardens with low water availability. While it thrives in full sun to part shade, it prefers well-drained soils and can tolerate a range of soil types, from sandy to loamy. It is not commonly known to suffer from significant disease or pest issues, but it can be sensitive to overwatering, which may lead to root rot. Gardeners should be aware that, in some regions, it can self-seed and become invasive if not properly managed.CC BY-SA 4.0