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Sonchus oleraceus - L.

Common Name Sow Thistle, Common sowthistle
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Waysides, waste and cultivated ground[17]. A common weed, avoiding acid soils and shady positions[1].
Range Europe, including Britain, south and east from Scandanavia to N. Africa, N. and W. Asia.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Full sun
Sonchus oleraceus Sow Thistle, Common sowthistle


Sonchus oleraceus Sow Thistle, Common sowthistle

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Sonchus oleraceus is a BIENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in).
It is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Root  Stem
Edible Uses: Gum

Young leaves - raw or cooked[2, 4, 9, 13, 54]. This species has the nicest tasting leaves of the genus[153], they usually have a mild agreeable flavour[217] especially in the spring[K]. They can be added to salads, cooked like spinach or used in soups etc[183]. The leaves contain about 30 - 40mg of vitamin C per 100g[173], 1.2% protein, 0.3% fat, 2.4% carbohydrate, 1.2% ash[179]. A zero moisture analysis is also available[218]. It might be best, though it is not essential, to remove the marginal prickles[9]. Stems - cooked like asparagus or rhubarb[12]. They are best if the outer skin is removed first[183]. Young root - cooked[12]. They are woody and not very acceptable[144]. The milky sap has been used as a chewing gum by the Maoris of New Zealand[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Composition
Figures in grams (g) or miligrams (mg) per 100g of food.
Leaves (Dry weight)
  • 265 Calories per 100g
  • Water : 0%
  • Protein: 28g; Fat: 4.5g; Carbohydrate: 45g; Fibre: 5.9g; Ash: 22g;
  • Minerals - Calcium: 1500mg; Phosphorus: 500mg; Iron: 45.6mg; Magnesium: 0mg; Sodium: 0mg; Potassium: 0mg; Zinc: 0mg;
  • Vitamins - A: 35mg; Thiamine (B1): 1.5mg; Riboflavin (B2): 5mg; Niacin: 5mg; B6: 0mg; C: 60mg;
  • Reference: [ ]
  • Notes:

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Cancer  Emmenagogue  Febrifuge  Hepatic  Hydrogogue  Poultice  Tonic  Vitamin C  
Warts

The plant is emmenagogue and hepatic[61, 257]. An infusion has been used to bring on a tardy menstruation and to treat diarrhoea[257]. The latex in the sap is used in the treatment of warts[218]. It is also said to have anticancer activity[218]. The stem juice is a powerful hydrogogue and cathartic, it should be used with great caution since it can cause colic and tenesmus[218]. The gum has been used as a cure for the opium habit[257]. The leaves are applied as a poultice to inflammatory swellings[4]. An infusion of the leaves and roots is febrifuge and tonic[240].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

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Other Uses

Gum  Latex

The latex in the stem contains 0.14% rubber, but this is much too low for commercial exploitation[218]. The plant is a good companion for onions, tomatoes, corn as well as the cucumber and squash family[14].

Special Uses

Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in most soils in a sunny position. This plant has been cultivated for its edible leaves by the Maoris of New Zealand[153]. The plant is a good companion for onions, tomatoes, corn as well as the cucumber and squash family[14]. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length [2-1].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ. This species is a common garden weed and should not need any encouragement.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Afghanistan, Cyprus, Egypt (Sinai), Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia), Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Federation (Dagestan), Russian Federation-Western Siberia (Western Siberia), Russian Federation-Eastern Siberia (Eastern Siberia), Russian Federation (Altay), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Russian Federation (Primorye, Amur, Magadanskaja oblast, Sakhalin), Korea TROPICAL ASIA: Pakistan (north) EUROPE: Denmark, Finland, United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Russian Federation (European part), Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Moldova, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece (incl. Crete), Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Spain (Canarias), Portugal (Madeira Islands), Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Sonchus arvensisField Milk Thistle, Field sowthistle, Moist sowthistlePerennial1.2 0-0  LMHSNM213
Sonchus asperPrickly Sow Thistle, Spiny sowthistleAnnual0.5 0-0  LMHSNM210
Sonchus brachyotus Perennial0.6 -  LMH M11 
Sonchus crassifoliusEnsaladetasPerennial0.4 6-10 FLMHNDM212
Sonchus kirkiiShore Sow Thistle 0.0 -  LMHSNM10 
Sonchus tenerrimusClammy Sow Thistle, Slender sowthistleAnnual/Perennial0.8 0-0  LMHSNM10 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Stephen Mifsud   Tue Feb 25 11:58:45 2003

Link: Malta Wild Plants Online Database Information, botanical details, high quality photos

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