Perennial Sowthistle, Field Sowthistle

Sonchus arvensis L.

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

▲ ▼ young sprouts from creeping roots

▲ stem

▲ colony of mature plants

▲ ▼ flowers

▲ ▼ flowers

▲ creeping root

Perennial Sowthistle:

 

·        leaves light to medium green, somewhat lobed with small spines on margins

·        flower stalks grow 2-5’ tall, capped with dandelion-like yellow flowers

·        produce creeping roots which allows them to spread vegetatively

·        more common in northern states, but can grow here