Try for Free
tab list
PictureThis
English
arrow
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
PictureThis
Search
Search Plants
Try for Free
Global
English
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
This page looks better in the app
picturethis icon
Instantly identify plants with a snap
Snap a photo for instant plant ID, gaining quick insights on disease prevention, treatment, toxicity, care, uses, and symbolism, etc.
Download the App for Free
Continue Reading
Spiny sowthistle

How to identify Spiny sowthistle (Sonchus asper)

Spiny sowthistle, also known as Rough Milk Thistle, Prickly sowthistle, Sharp-fringed sow thistle

Spiny sowthistle is distinguished by its spiny, lobed leaves and bright yellow composite flowers. It forms an upright, leafy stem that often reaches heights of 2 to 4 feet (60 to 120 cm). The leaves are deeply notched with coarse spines along the edges and are generally green with a hint of bluish-gray. Flower heads are showy, resembling dandelion blooms, and appear at the ends of branches. This plant tends to flourish in full sunlight, adapting to varied soil conditions, from moist to slightly dry. It rapidly produces seeds, primarily relying on wind for dispersal.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Annual, Biennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Spiny sowthistle

1

Spiny, lobed leaves with coarse margin spines.

2

Bright yellow composite flowers in clusters of 1 to 5.

3

Flat, spindle-shaped achenes with silky white tufts.

4

Dark green glossy leaves with white mid-vein.

5

Upright stem with sparse branching, reaching up to 3 feet (90 cm).

Spiny sowthistleSpiny sowthistleSpiny sowthistleSpiny sowthistleSpiny sowthistle

Detailed Traits of Spiny sowthistle

Leaf Features

The leaves of spiny sowthistle are notable for their spiny margins and wavy texture. Large basal leaves and smaller upper leaves are dark green, often glossy, with soft, very spiny teeth. Leaves range up to 10 inches (25 cm) long and 3 inches (7.5 cm) across, although typically they are smaller. The white mid-vein and large round basal lobes that clasp and curl downward are distinctive. Depending on the local form, the leaves may be pinnatifid or broadly lanceolate to oblanceolate.

Learn About the Leaf Glossary
Group
Flower Features

The flowers of spiny sowthistle form in clusters of 1 to 5 on short stalks at the top of the stems. Each flower, about 2/3 inch (1.7 cm) across when fully open, consists of numerous bright yellow ray florets. The base of each flower is enveloped by dull green bracts. The blooming period extends from late spring to early fall, with individual colonies flowering for roughly a month.

Spiny sowthistle Flower imageSpiny sowthistle Flower image
Learn About the Flower Glossary
Group
Stem Features

The stem of spiny sowthistle is upright and smooth, with sparse branching occurring mostly towards the top. Longitudinal veins are conspicuous along the stem, which is typically hairless, although sometimes fine hairs can be found on the upper sections and flowering stalks. The stem is generally green and can reach up to 3 feet (90 cm) in height. It is round in cross-section and maintains a consistent thickness throughout.

Spiny sowthistle Stem image
Learn About the Stem Glossary
Group
Fruit Features

The fruit of spiny sowthistle consists of flat, spindle-shaped achenes that exhibit a hairless texture. These achenes boast several pronounced longitudinal ribs, indicative of the species' fruit structure, and are crowned with silky white tufts of hairs aiding in wind dispersal. Typically, the achenes display a subtle coloration, often blending in with the surrounding foliage. Dimension-wise, the achenes are petite, suitable for windborne travel. These characteristics are pivotal for recognition and classification of spiny sowthistle's fruit.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary
Group
Icon code

Scan QR code to download

More Plants You May Like and How to Identify Them
Img topic
Cape jasmine

Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.

Img topic
Golden pothos

The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.

Img topic
Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

Img topic
Pepper

The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.

Img topic
Swiss cheese plant

The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.

Img topic
Bigleaf hydrangea

The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.

Identify Spiny sowthistle easily and quickly
We're also capable of identifying over 12,000 types of plants, flowers, succulents, and trees in your surroundings.
Identify a Plant Online

Key Facts About Spiny sowthistle

Attributes of Spiny sowthistle
Lifespan
Annual, Biennial
Plant Type
Herb
Plant Height
10 cm to 2 m
Spread
50 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Stem Color
Green
Leaf type
Deciduous
Identify plants with a snap
Instantly identify plants with AI: Snap a photo, and get accurate results within seconds.
Download the App for Free

Scientific Classification of Spiny sowthistle

Family
Daisy
Icon allow
Species
Spiny sowthistle (Sonchus asper)
Learn More About the Spiny sowthistle

Distribution Map of Spiny sowthistle

The spiny sowthistle is native to temperate Europe, Asia and North Africa, where it grows in disturbed ecosystems. The species is considered invasive in some parts of Australia and several US states. It invades and damages agricultural croplands by being a host of several crop pests and diseases.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
close
close
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
product icon
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
product icon
Nearly 5 years of research
product icon
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
ad
ad
Botanist in your pocket
qrcode
PictureThis Ios DownloadPictureThis Android Download
Scan the QR code with your phone camera to download the app