Sonchus asper ssp. asper (L.) Hill Asteraceae (Sunflower Family) Europe Prickly Sow Thistle

                                 May Photo

Plant Characteristics:  Annual, rather simple, 5-25 dm. high; lower basal lvs. tapered to generally sessile bases; cauline sessile, clasping, upper often widest near base, basal clasping lobes rounded, strongly curved to coiled; blades dentate, sometimes +/- lobed, teeth and lobes tipped with soft spines; invol. 9-15 mm. high; fls. many, ligulate, yellow; aks. 3-nerved on each side, otherwise smooth, 2.5 mm. long; pappus copious, of very white exceedingly soft and fine bristles mainly falling away together.

Habitat:  Common weed; occasional on deserts; Channel Ids.  Below 1900 m. Blooms most months.

Name:  Greek, sonchos, the sow thistle.  Latin, asper, rough, thorny.  (Jaeger 28,241).

General:  Occasional in the study area, not nearly so common as S. oleraceus.  Photographed on the Santa Ana Heights Flats and at Big Canyon.  (my comments).     Stems and leaves, especially the young ones may be used as greens.  (Kirk 152).    S. asper has been known to accumulate free nitrates in quantities capable of causing death or distress in cattle.  (Fuller 385).     About 45 species of Old World.  (Munz, Flora So. Calif. 229).

Text Ref:  Hickman, Ed. 344; Munz, Flora So. Calif. 230; Roberts 13.

Photo Ref:  May 1 83 # 3,4; Feb 3 84 # 3,4; March-April 84 # 6; March-April 86 # 17.  

Identity: by R. De Ruff, confirmed by F. Roberts.  

First Found:  May 1983.

Computer Ref:  Plant Data 195.

Have plant specimen:

Last edit 5/15/05.

                               April Photo                                                                           March Photo