Spiny Sowthistle

[Sonchus asper (L.) Hill]

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

▲ ▼ young plant rosettes

▲ mature plant

▲ stem showing rounded-base stipules

▲ flowers on mature plant

Spiny Sowthistle: (pp. 172-173, Weeds of the Great Plains; mentioned on pp. 160-161, 366-367 in Weeds of the Northeast)

 

·        annual weed with thick leaves with curly, spiny margins; leaves clasp stem

·        stipule at base of stem leaves is rounded at base

·        grows about 6" - 5' tall

·        flowers yellow head-type inflorescences

·        found in fields, pastures, cultivated areas, roadsides, non-crop areas

• Annual Sowthistle is similar, but has more deeply divided, less spiny leaves and angled stipules where they clasp stem