Sonchus oleraceus (Common Sowthistle)
| Also known as: | Annual Sowthistle |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Sonchus |
| Family: | Asteraceae (Aster) |
| Life cycle: | annual, biennial |
| Origin: | Europe |
| Status: |
|
| Habitat: | sun; roadsides, disturbed sites, waste places, fields |
| Bloom season: | July - October |
| Plant height: | 2 to 10 feet |
| Wetland Indicator Status: | GP: UPL MW: FACU NCNE: FACU |
| MN county distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
| National distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
Pick an image for a larger view. See the glossary for icon descriptions.
Detailed Information
Flower: 
![[photo of flowers]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/sonchus-oleraceus-029.jpg)
Tight clusters (corymbiform) of yellow dandelion type flowers, ¾ to 1¼ inch across, at the top of the stem and arising from leaf axils. Closed flower heads of bracts, receptacle and ray flowers (petals) is thick, barrel to vase shaped, sometimes finely hairy on the stalk below the cluster, and with several small attending leaves at the base of cluster.
Leaves:
![[photo of leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/sonchus-oleraceus-027.jpg)
Leaves are mostly deeply divided with triangular lobes, though upper leaves may be merely toothed or shallowly lobed. The lobe at the leaf tip is typically broadly spade shaped or triangular. Lower leaves are long stalked, up to 10 inches long and 2½ inches wide. Upper leaves are smaller and clasping, with angled lobes at the base of the leaf that extend past the stem. All leaves are coarsely toothed with small, soft prickles. Stems and leaf surfaces have a dull waxy sheen, stems crisp but brittle, very leafy,
Fruit:
![[photo of fruit]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/sonchus-oleraceus-030.jpg)
Fruit is a dark brown seed, slightly flattened and somewhat spindle shaped, with textured, wrinkly ribs and a tuft of bright white hairs to carry it off in the wind.
Notes:
Common Sowthistle has become widely cosmopolitan throughout the Americas and Asia due to human activity. A sporadic weed of cultivated gardens and disturbed areas, it does not encroach readily into high grade habitats and is likely under reported within Minnesota. It is distinguished from other sowthistles primarily by the triangular lobes on the leaves and the angled lobes at the leaf base. It is less prickly than Sonchus asper (Spiny Sowthistle) and has smaller flowers than Sonchus arvensis (Perennial Sowthistle).Native Plant Nurseries, Restoration and Landscaping Services ↓
Map of native plant resources in the upper midwest
More photos
Common Sowthistle plant
more plants
rosette of young plant
leaf base Photos by Peter M. Dziuk, taken in a private vegetable garden in Anoka county.
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
on: 2015-07-12 12:22:24
I found a few of these on my property last year and this year they were more numerous. I got a clue after I saw it growing next to a Spiny Sowthistle and the two were quite similar. I am trying to maintain all native plants so I'm not sure if should start pulling it if it isn't too aggressive.
on: 2019-06-20 11:18:35
There are about 20 of these growing in an overgrown hosta bed on my property. its about 1.5x10 ft and these are there along with tons of Lady's Thumb.
on: 2020-05-14 01:09:05
Got these all over my gardens. Add Ramsey County to the map.
on: 2020-09-09 13:23:56
pp good flower cute good for garden no bugs pp
on: 2020-09-09 15:18:07
Kelan, cute and good are in the eye of the beholder; "no bugs" means it isn't providing any value to our native pollinators, which I wouldn't consider so good.
on: 2022-08-29 21:05:17
Found a few of these growing on the shoreline.
on: 2023-05-27 11:36:28
Great for food, I like it with stew.
on: 2023-05-27 12:56:41
Lucas, there are many non-native plants that have some value to humans, but that doesn't mean they should be allowed to grow wherever they want.
on: 2024-08-04 23:47:15
Should I keep or pull these? I have them growing in the vicinity of my vegetable garden and I find them pretty and pollinators enjoy them. I don't have the funds or space to put in native wildflowers, so are these better than nothing?
on: 2024-08-05 08:13:05
Paige, I would remove them unless you can be diligent about preventing seed production and spread. Otherwise, they will escape your yard and spread to unwanted areas.