Milk thistle, Sow thistle
Sonchus oleraceus

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

An erect annual hairy herb. It has milky sap. It is 40 to 60 cm high. The plant is bluish-green. The leaves are alternate. The leaves do not have stalks and half clasp the stem. Leaves are 10 to 20 cm long and very coarsely lobed. Flower heads are about 1 cm long and yellow. The fruit is dry and 3 ribbed. It opens to a round white ball. The seeds blow in the wind.

Chemical composition (Chinese sample): Protein = 1.2%. Fat = 0.3%. Carbohydrate = 2.4%. Ash = 1.2%. Reportedly rich in Vitamin C. There are about 60 Sonchus species. Contains flavonoids, proanthocyanids, saponins, alkaloids, fatty acids, vitamin C, carotenoids. Mineral elements: sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, copper, zinc, manganese.

Where it is found

It is a temperate climate plant. It is found occasionally in disturbed or cultivated soil, especially in Mt Province in the Philippines. It occurs between 1000 m and 2500 m altitude. In Java it occurs between 200-2,200 m above sea level. In Nepal it grows between 2000-2800 m altitude. It grows in the central highlands of Vietnam. It can grow in arid places. Tasmania Herbarium. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Algeria, Andes, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Balkans, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia, Botswana, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Canary Is., Caribbean, Caucasus, Chad, Central Africa, Central America, Central Asia, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo DR, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Crete, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Easter Island, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Europe, Falklands, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Leeward Is., Lesotho, Libya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Manchuria, Marianas, Marquesas, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niue, Norfolk Island, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Norway, Oman, Pacific, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Reunion, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Senegal, Siberia, Sicily, Sinai, Slovenia, Socotra, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, St Helena, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Thailand, Tibet, Tonga, Trinidad-Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Uganda, Uruguay, USA, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Zululand

How it is used for food

The tender leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. They are also used in salads and soups. They are also fried. They are par boiled or pickled. The young stalks are peeled and boiled and eaten. The roots are also used as food. CAUTION Some forms and species are bitter.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. Leaves are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Root, leaves, berries, fruit, vegetable, stems, flowers

How it is grown

It grows wild from seeds. Seeds are blown in the wind. Seeds can germinate at temperatures between 7°C and 35°C.

The tender leaves can be picked or the whole plant up rooted.

Its other names

Local names

Amargon, Anakisoa, Apuruku, Beroberoka, Bhattal, Bono sa lekwaba, Borraja, Burchkhala, Cardedda bianca, Cascigno, Cerraja, Cerrajilla, Cevceg, Chikoka chisiwere, Chinguwo, Cicerbica, Cicerbita, Common sowthistle, Crujiera, Delgiyu, Dente-de-leao, Diente de leon, Dodak, Dodhak, Dudhejhar, Dudhi, Dudhi kanda, Esek marulu, Forrajas, Gagalang, I'lk-khai, Idwingabane, Ihanenabe, Ihlaba, Ingabe, Irhabe, JIkigeembegeembe, u'thaith, Kasni, Khala, Kizimhamucho, Kolfidekamajun, Kostrijec, Kostris, Ku mai cai, Lechuguilla, Lesabe, Lesese, Leshabe, Lessan albuqri, Lessan-athawr, Lessan al-baqarah, Lessan-imthawr, Lihabe, Lletsons, Makutaasila, Malai booti, Matakoatsila, Mhatara, Milk tassel, Mlee zelinny, Mlicz, Molaba, Mshunga kwake, Mshunga, Odaid, Pathari, Peeli dodhak, Puha rauriki, Pwake, Q'ara sapi, Quelete, Quelite cuan guiti, Ratrinta, Rau cuc sua, Rau diep dang, Rurimirwemombe, Rwabe, Sevone, Shashe, Sinbanggu, Soon dodak, Sutlengec, Talabretraka, Tarizha, Thalaak, Tifef, Titaliya, Tokkiboribab, Tong tong cai, Tshi-to-kangs-rba, Tsohos, Tue doan rau, Umeisennier, Yalanci marul, Zuccho

Synonyms

Sonchus ciliatus Lam.; Sonchus fabrae Sennen; Sonchus gracilis Phil.; Sonchus gracilis Sennen; Sonchus lacerus Willd.; Sonchus laevis Vill.; Sonchus longifolius Trev.; Sonchus pallescens Panc.; Sonchus parviflorus Lej. ex Rchb.; Sonchus reversus E. Mey. ex DC.; Sonchus rivularis Phil.; Sonchus roseus Besser ex Spreng.; Sonchus royleanus DC.; Sonchus sundaicus Blume; Sonchus umbellifer Thunb.; Sonchus zacinthoides DC.;