Sonchus asper (L.) Hill

Spiny Leaf Sow Thistle; Prickly Sow Thistle

Herb

Annual

Vascular

Spiny Leaf Sow Thistle is an introduced herbaceous annual or short-lived perennial in the Sunflower family (Asteraceae). It is native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. In Alabama it can be found state wide. Spiny Leaf Sow Thistle grows on roadsides, in vacant lots, along railroad tracks, in fallow fields, and in other disturbed, sunny habitats. It is an annual or short-lived perennial with a tap root. The stem is 1-3 feet in height, hollow, glabrous, with prominent longitudinal ribs. The leaves are cauline and basal. The basal leaves form a rosette that may not be present at flowering. The leaves are alternate, glabrous, oblong to lanceolate in outline, with lobed and prickly toothed margins. The leaves have large rounded auriculate bases that clasp the stem and winged petioles. All parts of the plant exude a milky white latex sap when damaged. Flowers are produced in heads. The heads are on stipitate glandular peduncles. The head is composed of yellow ray flowers and no disc flowers. The fruit is an achene with a tuft of white pappus.—A. Diamond

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Not Native FAC+ (NWPL)

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