Sonchus asper
(L.) Hill
Rough sowthistle, Spiny Sowthistle
(c) Sara Navarro, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sara Navarro
(c) Marco Grandis, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Marco Grandis
no rights reserved, uploaded by Damiano Oldoni
What to Eat
Edible parts: Leaves, Seeds, Vegetable
Tender young leaves and stem tops can be eaten raw or cooked, added to salads or used like spinach. The young leaves have a mild, agreeable flavour. Before eating or cooking the stems, they should be bruised and the bitter milky juice washed out. The peeled stems can also be eaten raw like celery.
Where to Find It
It grows in temperate and subtropical regions. In Nepal plants grow between 1000-1800 m altitude. They grow on moist, neglected ground. It suits sandy soils. In Africa it grows between 750-2,550 m above sea level. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 2,500 m above sea level. Tasmania Herbarium.
Afghanistan, Africa, Alaska, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Balkans, Belarus, Belgium, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Canary is., Caucasus, Central Asia, Chad, Chile, China, Congo DR, Crete, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Easter Island, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Europe*, Falklands, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Guinea, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norfolk Is., North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Norway, Pacific, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Senegal, Siberia, Sicily, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, South America, Southern Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, St Helena, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Thailand, Tibet, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uruguay, USA, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Indies, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe,
How to Identify
An erect annual herb. It grows to 1 m high. The stems are hollow. There is milky sap when the stems are cut. There are some glands on the upper parts. The leaves are 5-15 cm long. The leaves half clasp the stem. They have rounded ear like structures at the base. The edges can be spiny or have teeth. The plants are bluish-green. The flower heads are yellow. They are 1-2 cm across. They are crowded in irregular heads. The fruit is a dry fruit.
Nutrition Score: 45/100
| Part | Moisture | kJ | kcal | Protein | Vit A | Vit C | Iron | Zinc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaves | 86 | 111 | 27 | 3.3 | — | 63 | 3 | 0.9 |
How to Grow
Plants are grown from seed.
Propagation: Sow seed in spring or late summer directly in situ.
Medicinal Uses
The plant can be pounded and applied as a poultice to wounds and boils.
Other Uses
None known Special Uses
Wikipedia
Source ↗Sonchus asper, the prickly sow-thistle, rough milk thistle, spiny sowthistle, sharp-fringed sow thistle, or spiny-leaved sow thistle, is a widespread flowering plant in the tribe Cichorieae within the family Asteraceae.
Other Information
It is a minor vegetable.
Notes
There are about 60 Sonchus species.
Names & Synonyms
Bhattal, Cardedda spinusa, Casigno, Cecevede, Cerraja brava, Cerraja espinosa, Chorte, Cicerbica, Cicerbita, Crespino, Didhi, Dodal, Dodhak, Dodhi, Dudala, Gnedhap, Hrapava škrbinka, Ikigeembegeembe, Kasni, Malai booti, Mhatara, Prickly sowthistle, Puha tiotio, Ghench'o. Ghich'a, Rauroroa, Sevone, Shashe, Soon latti, Sut dikeni, Thumbai, Tifaf, Zuccho
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