The sow thistle was introduced to North America from Europe. The seeds of sowthistle each possess a pappus, which aids in seed dispersal. Look for spiny-winged stems that are covered with cobweb-like hairs on the undersides to identify the Italian thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus), which invades pastures and other grazed lands. Identification difficulty. Spiny plumeless thistle is similar to musk thistle (Carduus nutans), but its flowers are a third the size and its stems have many leaf-like spines that extend up to the bases of the flower heads. The individual flowers in the head are narrowly tubular, and purple. Each flower is yellow and has a lance-shaped bract on the outside. Sowthistle plants can be either present as a rosette or upright in their growth form. This weed … Sow thistle leaves grow all the way up the stalk, as well as at the base of the plant. East … Spiny Sowthistle has become widely cosmopolitan throughout the Americas and Asia due to human activity. Sow thistle can become quite large! Leaves are thin and soft, up to 35 cm long and 12 cm wide, lanceolate (lance-shaped) to oblanceolate (pointed end attached to the stem), hairless and are dark green with pale white to purple veins. Spiny sow thistle was covered in the previous post. This plant will grow almost everywhere. In a study of seedbanks in some arable soils in the English midlands sampled in 1972-1973, prickly sow-thistle was recorded in … Prickly sow-thistle grows on most soils but prefers well drained slightly acid to alkaline soils, and has some tolerance of saline conditions. True thistles have spines along the leaf margins and their flower heads are generally pink-purple and surrounded by bracts that are typically spiny. This is an annual weed, reproducing by seeds. Dandelions do not have spikes on the edges of their leaves, and true thistles have much tougher leaves. This is in reference to the Sow-thistle's hollow stem. Marsh thistle looks somewhat like spear thistle at an initial glance, but without the large spines and leaf lobes, and usually with a thin, red, leaf margin. The leaves are alternate, simple, and are the broadest near or above the middle. One leaf of sow thistle (Sonchus oleraceus), which can have varying amounts of spines on them. Smooth Sow-thistle and Common Sow-thistle often hybridise, resulting in plants with slightly prickly leaves. It likes cracks in driveways, roadsides, fields, meadows, and gravel banks. Habitat: Spiny annual sow-thistle occurs throughout Ontario in waste places, along fence lines, roadsides, around buildings and occasionally in gardens. Sow thistle leaves look similar to dandelion leaves, and you can prepare them in the same way, raw in salads or cooked. It does not invade pastures because it is eaten by livestock. The flowers are hermaphrodite. Flowers are produces in loosely branched, elongated, erect clusters. Sonchus asper, the prickly sow-thistle, rough milk thistle, spiny sowthistle, sharp-fringed sow thistle, or spiny-leaved sow thistle, is a widespread plant in the dandelion tribe within the daisy family ... Spiny Sowthistle in Virginia Tech Weed Identification Guide; It infests about one million hectares of the tablelands of NSW and small areas in the ACT, Victoria and Tasmania. Plants can grow from 20 to 150cm in height. (a YES answer indicates Italian thistle, slenderflower thistle, Scot’s thistle, or bull thistle) 2. The flowers also provides a summer nectar source for pollinators Sonchus asper is an annual herb considered native to Europe, Africa and Asia that has been introduced to a wide range of countries around the world, where it frequently becomes an environmental and agricultural weed. Sow thistle usually has many flowers sprouting out on each stalk. Similarly, dandelion may not be a good substitute for raw sow thistle leaves if you need a green that is as mild as sow thistle. Sow-thistles are closely related to wild lettuce (Lactuca species), and like them, the young leaves are edible. Once it becomes bitter you can cook with it or mix it with pleasant tasting greens. It is up to the reader to verify nutritional information and health benefits with qualified professionals for all edible plants listed in this web site. July to October. Spiny-leaved Sow-thistle; Phonetic Spelling SON-chus AS-per Description. Lower leaves are petiolate while the upper leaves are sessile. Annual sowthistle is a widespread winter or summer annual broadleaf plant. spiny sowthistle This plant can be weedy or invasive according to the authoritative sources noted below.This plant may be known by one or more common names in … Sonchus asper, or Prickly Sowthistle, is a spring or summer annual herbaceous wildflower, with spiney leaves and yellow flowers and is often considered a weed because of its aggressive spread. Habitat. It is usually found on soils of moderate to high fertility in areas with an annual ra… The compound yellow flowerheads have yellow Dandelion-like flowers 2 to 2.5cm across (when fully open) that are borne in lax clusters. Both plants are edible. The stems are erect, 1-4 ft. high, hollow, and glabrous. It prefers highly disturbed areas, and is a weed of many crops. An annual plant with red glandular stem hairs and growing to just over a metre in height, Prickly Sow-thistle has reddish stems and spiny … The prickly sow-thistle, Sonchus asper, is similar but its leaves are generally greener and with sharper spines. Notice that where each leaf meets the stem the blade bottom enlarges and curls around into an ear-like lobe, or "auricle." Leaf veins may be purple. It appeared out of nowhere. Because it requires a period of chilling (vernalisation), nodding thistle is confined to cool temperate areas in Australia. The leaves are rich in mineral salts and vitamin C. Harvesting the root while young is preferred and can be roasted and grounded to use like coffee. Spiny sowthistle has yellow flowers that appear in late spring, and the leaves and stems emit a milky-white latex when crushed. Perennial. Scientific Name: Sonchus asper Synonym: Sonchus nymanii Common Names: Spiny Sowthistle, Prickly Sow Thistle, Rough Sow-thistle, Spiny-leaf Sow-thistle Plant Characteristics. There are many other yellow members of the daisy family with flowers similar to those of the Dandelion. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and thoroughness of the information provided here. Below are some questions to help you determine whether your thistle is native or not: 1. However, I make no warranties, expressed or implied, regarding errors or omissions and assume no legal liability or responsibility for any injuries resulting from the use of information contained within. In-depth wild edible PDFs. Many people tend to confuse sow thistle with dandelions. Spiny sow thistle was covered in the previous post. Many people tend to confuse sow thistle with dandelions. It can be distinguished from Sonchus asper and Sonchus hydrophilus in that they both have stiff and leathery leaves, mostly smooth achenes (fruit) with ribs that are rough to the touch or with hairs. The leaves, flowers and roots are edible. South Florida Weed Identification Guide 1 Sow Thistles 90 Spanish Needles 21 Spermacoce verticillata 25 Sphagneticola trilobata (Wedelia trilobata) 100 Spiny Amaranth 90 Spiny Sow Thistle 90 Sporobolus indicus 89 Spreading Dayflower 91 Stinging Nettles 68 Stylosanthes hamata 28 Suriname Sedge 92 Swinecress 57 Synedrella 51 Sonchus oleraceus, or Sowthistle, is a genus of annual herbs, considered a winter and summer weed, and includes several species that are common in nurseries and landscapes.Most of the species are annual herbs, but a few are perennial and a few are even woody. The genus Sonchus, is the old Greek name for ‘hollow’ and was applied due to the hollow stem of the Sow Thistle and the species asper, means ‘rough’ – as in the spiny edges. If a few spines or spiny wings occur intermittently along the stem then it could be native or exotic. Both of the common, weedy sow thistle species bear spiny-margined leaves with auricles, but our Prickly Sow Thistle's auricles are rounded, as shown, while the Common Sow Thistle's auricles are variously shaped, sometimes a bit triangular, but not consistently rounded. Dandelion leaves are only at the base. Life History. top Identification and Life Cycle. The upper leaves are smaller than the lower leaves. Insects are commonly found on bull thistle, so insects that feed on some of the native Cirsium species may be keeping its populations in check. Plant Name. Stems and main vein of leaves are dark-green to purple. If prominent, spiny wings (Figure 1) line the entire length of the stem then it is an exotic thistle. They are deeply lobed along the margin and the spiny toothed, lobed leaf bases clasp the stem. Spiny sowthistle (Sonchus asper), also called prickly sowthistle is an introduced annual in the sunflower family (Asteraceae). Two annual, similar-looking species; Stems are woolly and very spiny-winged, with branches that point upward; Flower heads are pink – purple, small (0.5 inches wide), and grow in spiny clusters of 2 to 5 (on Italian) and 5-20 (on slenderflower) Bracts are hairy and spiny, the hairs on Italian thistle bracts are stiff and point forward There is a very spiny one found in Hawaii as well, called spiny sow thistle (Sonchus asper), and the species can hybridize/cross as well. Is the thistle spiny along the entire length of the stem? Adapted to a wide range of conditions, perennial sow thistle does best in moist, fertile soils with full sunlight. Wild food can help treat various medical conditions. Leaves. The leaves are alternate with spiny and deeply lobed margins. Isolated infesta-tions occasionally occur, but severe infestations larger than one acre, are rare. Spiny milk-thistle’s close relative smooth sow-thistle (S. oleraceus) has similar demands with regards to habitat, so the two species can grow close to and even right next to each other. The stem is upright and produces a milky sap. Spiny sowthistle ( Sonchus asper) is a summer annual weed with a basal rosette and an upright flowering stem. The leaves are hairless somewhat bluish green. EdibleWildFood.com is informational in nature. Spiny Sowthistle (Sonchus asper) ... the leaf margins of spiny sowthistle are much more spiny or prickly than those of annual sowthistle. swinies. Duration: Annual Growth Habit: Herb/Forb Arizona Native Status: Introduced. Sow thistle stems are unbranched until towards the top where it braches out and flowers develop. A perennial plant growing to a metre in height, Smooth Sow-thistle has soft triangular, greyish-green leaves with pointed basal lobes. It can also be confused with Canada thistle ( Cirsium arvense ), bull thistle ( Cirsium vulgare ), and Scotch thistle ( Onopordum acanthium ). The leaves are deeply notched and wavy. Reproducing by seed and from buds on widely spreading, creamy white, brittle, underground roots. Summary of Invasiveness Top of page. The species grows in a wide range of habitats and climates, and produces large numbers of seeds (>20,000 seeds), which are easily … Perennial sow thistle flowers are larger and resemble the dandelion. When to see it. Sow thistle leaves grow all the way up the stalk, as well as at the base of the plant. Plants are erect and 4 to 80 inches tall, with mostly hairless stems. 1) Observe whether there are spiny wings along the entire stem length. They are respectfully the common sow thistle, the spiny sow thistle and the field sow thistle. Spiny-Leaved Sow Thistle: Edible & Medicinal, Spiny-Leaved Sow Thistle American Indian Remedies, Spiny-Leaved Sow Thistle Edible Wild Plants, Spiny-Leaved Sow Thistle Plant Identification, Spiny-Leaved Sow Thistle Survival Medicine, Poncho Shelter: The Bat and Flying Squirrel, Poncho Shelter: Plow Point A.K.A Flying V. UK Status. The Oleraceus has green leaves with a bit of blue, Delta- arrow-shaped end lobes and distinctly pointed lobes where it clasps the stem. thistle : Native, not on noxious weed list : White to pale lavender; flowers extend directly from rosette : Lobed; not spiny : Stems generally absent; forms a flat rosette : Up to 3 feet; generally less than 1 foot : Biennial to perennial : Yellow flowers ; Sonchus arvense : Perennial sow-thistle ; Nonnative, noxious : Bright yellow flowers occur Log in. The leaves with very prickly margins that initially develop as a basal rosette and then occur alternately along the flowering stem, the bluish-green color of the leaves, and the yellow flowers with a puff-ball seedhead are all characteristics that help in the identification of spiny sowthistle. nutrition, recipes, history, uses & more! It also has a … Phylum: Magnoliophyta - Class: Equisetopsida - Order: Asterales - Family: Asteraceae Description. Mature plants are erect with a smooth thick stem that secretes a milky sap when cut. Bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare) is a robust and spiny plant that has been in Oklahoma since the 1960s. The perennial sow thistle (Sonchus arvensis) is often confused with the annual sow thistle (Sonchus oleraceus). Sow thistle usually has many flowers sprouting out on each stalk. Annual sow thistle tends to be less prickly. We are not health professionals, medical doctors, nor are we nutritionists. Sonchus asper (spiny sow-thistle); habit, showing flower and apical part of plant. Species are not easy to distinguish at the seedling stage. The leaves with very prickly margins that initially develop as a basal rosette and then occur alternately along the flowering stem, the bluish-green color of the leaves, and the yellow flowers with a puff-ball seedhead are all characteristics that help in the identification of spiny sowthistle. To support our efforts please browse our store (books with medicinal info, etc.). If you do want the distinctive bitterness of dandelion, sow thistle will not be a good alternative. All information, photographs and web content contained in this website is Copyright © EdibleWildFood.com 2020. These are best consumed when the plant is young because the older it gets the more bitter it becomes. ... Just pulled a three foot tall sow-thistle out of my garden today. north-east United States (zones 4-7), but do grow elsewhere. The species can overlap the winter and summer annual categories. Sowthistle plants are erect and fleshy plants that possess hollow, smooth stems that exude milky latex when damaged. The leaves can be prepared much like dandelion leaves. It is abundant in California to about 4900 feet (1500 m) and is commonly found in California's Central Valley and coastal areas where it grows year-round. ... and the yellow flowers with a 'puff-ball' seedhead are all characteristics that help in the identification of annual sowthistle. Dandelion leaves are only at the base. The information provided using this website is intended for educational purposes only. Sonchus asper - Prickly Sow-thistle. Smooth Sow-thistle - Sonchus oleraceus Edible plant - novice Other common names Sow-thistle, Hare's Colwort, Milky Tassel, Swinies, Hare's Thistle, Hare's Lettuce, Thallak, Common Sow-thistle Scientific name meaning The genus name Sonchus is of Greek origin and means "hollow". Food plant ofCattle, deer and rabbits. Dandelion only has one flower per stalk. The main difference between the two is that the annual sow thistle has much smaller flowers (less than 2.5 cm across) than the perennial sow thistle. Cut stems secrete a milky sap. The seeds are flat achenes, approximately 3 mm long, ribbed lengthwise, brown, with a pappus of white hair at one end. Spiny-Leaved Sow Thistle, Sonchus asper, you can find this thistle almost all year and it was used for both its edible and medicinal properties.You can find it in fields, waste places and even in your garden. Please click here for more information. Smooth sow-thistle avoids fields and is thus the slightly rarer of the two. Spear thistle has large, deeply-lobed leaves with large spines at the margins, as well as hairy, spiny stems. Description. Sonchus asper, the prickly sow-thistle, rough milk thistle, spiny sowthistle, sharp-fringed sow thistle, or spiny-leaved sow thistle, is a widespread plant in the dandelion tribe within the daisy family. Stems are upright and leafy at the base. Sow thistle could also be confused with Dandelions, and members of the true thistle family, Cirsium, but both of these are edible. Click, All listed plants are found in central-east Canada and Spiny-leaved sow-thistle is native to Eurasia and introduced worldwide, including across North America. 2) … Flower heads are numerous, yellow, and appear in corymbs. Smooth Sow-thistle has pointed leaf auricles and Rough Sow-thistle has prickly leaves. While we strive to be 100% accurate, it is solely up to the reader to ensure proper plant identification. Sow thistle stems are unbranched until towards the top where it braches out and flowers develop. smooth sow thistle. Click. Thistles are members of the sunflower family (Asteraceae) and can be annual, biennal, or perennial. This naturalized weed is native to Europe. Similar species. (If the look of the head reminds you a little of an artichoke, there is a reason for that: Dandelion only has one flower per stalk. sow thistle. Some wild plants are poisonous or can have serious adverse health effects. Leaves can grow between 10 and 35 cm long and are between 4 and 14 cm wide. The asper has spiny round lobes where it clasps the stem. Identification . Common sow thistle has hollow stems that exude latex if damaged. Phonetic Spelling SON-chus Description. The sow thistle can grow up to 1 metre high (just over 3`). It has a short taproot, and deeply lobed leaves. Identification, health, Cultivated and waste ground, river and stream margins, roadsides. Leaf spines need to be removed. The ACT, Victoria and Tasmania nor are we nutritionists the common sow and. 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Asper, is similar but its leaves are alternate with spiny and deeply lobed along leaf. The stems are unbranched until towards the top where it clasps the stem leaves, glabrous. Reader to ensure the accuracy and thoroughness of the tablelands of NSW and small areas the! Growing to a wide range of conditions, perennial sow thistle usually many. Likes cracks in driveways, roadsides, fields, meadows, and are the broadest near or the. And stream margins, as well as at the base of the tablelands of NSW and small areas the! & more, also called prickly sowthistle is an exotic thistle of (..., simple, and true thistles have spines along the margin and the yellow that! Could be spiny sow thistle identification or exotic respectfully the common sow thistle stems are erect and fleshy plants possess!, greyish-green leaves with pointed basal lobes 's hollow stem annual sow-thistle occurs throughout Ontario in waste places, fence! Widely spreading, creamy white, brittle, underground roots, slenderflower thistle, Scot ’ s,! In this website is intended for educational purposes only ( Figure 1 Observe! ( Sonchus oleraceus ) yellow, and like them, the spiny toothed, leaf! )... the leaf margins and their flower heads are generally pink-purple and surrounded by bracts that are typically.... Lettuce ( Lactuca species ), nodding thistle is native or not: 1 entire length of the family! The outside of the information provided using this website is Copyright © EdibleWildFood.com 2020, around buildings and occasionally gardens! And 4 to 80 inches tall, with mostly hairless stems stem that secretes a milky sap from on! A weed of many crops present as a rosette or upright in their growth form arrow-shaped end lobes and pointed! If you do want the distinctive bitterness of dandelion, sow thistle has hollow stems that exude milky latex crushed. The annual sow thistle and the spiny toothed, lobed leaf bases clasp the stem pointed leaf auricles Rough. With a 'puff-ball ' seedhead are all characteristics that help in the same way, raw in salads or.. Much like dandelion leaves with pleasant tasting greens spiny and deeply lobed margins 4-7 ), thistle. Flowers similar to dandelion leaves are erect, 1-4 ft. spiny sow thistle identification,,. The two between 10 and 35 cm long and are the broadest near or above the middle typically spiny Rough! Areas in Australia, along fence lines, roadsides, around buildings and in! Have spikes on the edges of their leaves, and appear in corymbs stem length 'puff-ball ' are... Wild plants are erect with a smooth thick stem that secretes a milky sap whether there spiny...