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*Sonchus asper (Linnaeus) Hill. Common name: Spinyleaf Sow-thistle, Prickly Sow-thistle. Phenology: Late Mar-Jul. Habitat: Roadsides, fields, pastures, disturbed areas. Distribution: Native of Europe.

Origin/Endemic status: Europe

Synonymy : = Ar, Bah, C, F, Fl7, FNA19, G, GrPl, Il, K4, Mi, NcTx, NE, NY, Oh3, Pa, POWO, RAB, S, SE1, Tat, Tn, Va, W, WH3, WV; Sonchus oleraceus Linnaeus var. asper Linnaeus — (basionym)

Links to other floras: = Sonchus asper - FNA19

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Wetland Indicator Status:

  • Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU
  • Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FAC
  • Great Plains: FAC
  • Midwest: FACU
  • Northcentral & Northeast: FACU

Heliophily : 8

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image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Joey Shaw source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Aidan Campos source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Aidan Campos source | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

NCBG trait

Intro: Erect annual of roadsides, fields, pastures and other open, disturbed areas. Native of Europe.

Stems: Stems dull green to reddish-green, often with longitudinal lines, sparingly branched above, smooth and leaking milky sap when broken.

Leaves: Leaves alternate, sessile with rounded basal lobes clasping the stem, lance- to oblong-lance-shaped, to 10 in. long, folded upward along the central vein, with conspicuously prickly-toothed margins, shiny and smooth; leaking milky sap when broken.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Composite flowers (heads) in small branching, terminal cluster on a long stalk; heads 1/2-3/4 in. wide, consisting of numerous yellow ray florets. The urn-shaped base of the head is enclosed in dull green, lance-shaped bracts, which may bear tiny stalked glands.

Fruits: Fruit a cluster of white-tufted achenes.

Comments:

Height: 1-5 ft.

plant sale text:

bloom table text:

description: Erect annual of roadsides, fields, pastures and other open, disturbed areas. Native of Europe.

stems: Stems dull green to reddish-green, often with longitudinal lines, sparingly branched above, smooth and leaking milky sap when broken.

leaves: Leaves alternate, sessile with rounded basal lobes clasping the stem, lance- to oblong-lance-shaped, to 10 in. long, folded upward along the central vein, with conspicuously prickly-toothed margins, shiny and smooth; leaking milky sap when broken.

inflorescence:

flowers: Composite flowers (heads) in small branching, terminal cluster on a long stalk; heads 1/2-3/4 in. wide, consisting of numerous yellow ray florets. The urn-shaped base of the head is enclosed in dull green, lance-shaped bracts, which may bear tiny stalked glands.

fruits: Fruit a cluster of white-tufted achenes.

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