*Sonchus oleraceus Linnaeus. Common name: Common 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, K1, K3, K4, Mi, NcTx, NE, NY, Pa, RAB, S, SE1, Tat, Tn, Va, W, WH3, WV
Links to other floras: = Sonchus oleraceus - FNA19
Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: UPL
- Great Plains: UPL
- 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 mostly unbranched, sometimes reddish-purple-tinged, usually smooth, leaking milky sap when broken.
Leaves: Leaves alternate, sessile with pointed basal lobes clasping the stem, oblong-oval to lance-shaped and divided into several sharp-toothed segments, 2-11 in. long, with a few prickles on the margins and smooth; leaking milky sap when broken.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Composite flowers (heads) in small branching, terminal cluster on a long stalk; heads about 3/4 in. wide, consisting of numerous yellow ray florets with blunt tips. The urn-shaped base of the head is enclosed in overlapping dull green, lance-shaped bracts.
Fruits: Fruit a cluster of white-tufted achenes.
Comments:
Height: 1/2-5 ft.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Erect annual of roadsides, fields, pastures and other open, disturbed areas. Native of Europe.
stems: Stems mostly unbranched, sometimes reddish-purple-tinged, usually smooth, leaking milky sap when broken.
leaves: Leaves alternate, sessile with pointed basal lobes clasping the stem, oblong-oval to lance-shaped and divided into several sharp-toothed segments, 2-11 in. long, with a few prickles on the margins and smooth; leaking milky sap when broken.
inflorescence:
flowers: Composite flowers (heads) in small branching, terminal cluster on a long stalk; heads about 3/4 in. wide, consisting of numerous yellow ray florets with blunt tips. The urn-shaped base of the head is enclosed in overlapping dull green, lance-shaped bracts.
fruits: Fruit a cluster of white-tufted achenes.
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