Prickly sow-thistle facts for kids
Sonchus asper, also known as the prickly sow-thistle or spiny sowthistle, is a common flowering plant found in many parts of the world. It belongs to the same plant family as sunflowers and daisies, called Asteraceae. You might see it growing in gardens, fields, or even by the side of the road!
Quick facts for kids Prickly sow-thistle |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Sonchus
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| Species: |
asper
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Synonymy
Sonchus oleraceus var. asper L. 1753
Sonchus aemulus Merino Sonchus australis Hort. ex Colla Sonchus borderi Gand. Sonchus carolinianus Walter Sonchus crocifolius Hort. ex Sch.Bip. Sonchus cuspidatus Blume Sonchus decipiens (De Not.) Zenari Sonchus eryngiifolius Sosn. Sonchus eryngioides DC. Sonchus fallax Wallr. Sonchus ferox Wall. Sonchus glaber Thunb. Sonchus infestus Poepp. ex DC. Sonchus oleraceus Wall. 1831 not L. 1753 Sonchus spinosus Lam. Sonchus spinulosus Bigel. Sonchus sulphureus Boiss. Sonchus tibesticus Quézel Sonchus umbellatus E.Mey. ex DC. Sonchus viridis Zenari Sonchus eryngiifolius Sosn. ex Grossh. Sonchus giganteus Shuttlew. ex Rouy Sonchus glaucescens Jord. Sonchus graecus Reut. ex E.Weiss Sonchus kralikii Rouy Sonchus nymanii Tineo & Guss. |
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Contents
What Does Prickly Sow-Thistle Look Like?
The prickly sow-thistle is an annual or biennial herb. This means it lives for either one or two years. It can grow quite tall, sometimes reaching up to 200 centimeters, which is about 6.5 feet!
Leaves and Stems
Its leaves are a bluish-green color. They are shaped like a spearhead (lanceolate) and have wavy edges. These edges are covered in small, sharp spines, so be careful when touching them! The bottom part of each leaf wraps around the stem. If you cut a leaf or stem, you'll see a milky liquid, called sap, come out.
Flowers
The plant produces many yellow flowers that look a lot like dandelions. These flowers grow in flat-topped clusters. Each flower head has many yellow "ray flowers" but no "disc flowers."
Where Does Prickly Sow-Thistle Grow?
The prickly sow-thistle originally comes from Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. However, it has spread to many other continents around the world. In some places, it is considered an invasive weed because it grows quickly and can take over areas where other plants are trying to grow.
You can find this plant in many different places. It often grows in:
- Farm fields
- Pastures where animals graze
- Along roadsides
- Edges of yards
- Empty lots
- Construction sites
- Wild grasslands
Uses of Prickly Sow-Thistle
Even though it's sometimes seen as a weed, the leaves of the prickly sow-thistle are actually edible. They are nutritious and can be eaten as a leaf vegetable.
See also
In Spanish: Sonchus asper para niños
