Spiny Sowthistle
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:
- 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