SPINY SOW THISTLE
Sonchus asper
SUNFLOWER FAMILY (Asteraceae)
Identification
- Flowering time - June, July, August, September, October
- Uncommon along roadsides and sunny disturbed areas at FF and NW
- Spiny leaves
- Dandelion-like flower clusters
- Similar Common Sow Thistle (Sonchus oleraceus) has much smaller spines
This naturalized annual grows up to 5 feet tall. The smooth, angled stem contains a milky juice. The very spiny, lance-shaped leaves clasp the stem (A). Pale yellow dandelion-like flower heads, about 1 inch across, are in clusters at the top of the stems (A,B). The seeds with their attached white hairs form a fuzzy ball of “parachutes” (D).
Uncommon along roads and sunny disturbed sites at Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods. Flowering occurs from June to October.
A very similar species , Common Sow Thistle (Sonchus oleraceus), which has less prominent spines (prickles) also occurs in our area. It has been seen at Fontenelle Forest; not yet seen at Neale Woods, but is likely.
This weedy species, a native of Eurasia and Northern Africa is now widely distributed across North America.
The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Roland Barth.