Perennial Sowthistle

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

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