*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
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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Horticultural Information
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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