Rough sowthistle, Spiny Sowthistle
Sonchus asper

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

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.

There are about 60 Sonchus species.

Where it is found

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.

Countries/locations it is found in

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 (country/location of origin), 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, 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 it is used for food

The tender leaves and shoots are cooked as a vegetable. They are also used in salads. The seeds are also eaten. The stems are bruised and the bitter juice washed out before eating or cooking. It is also used for making salt.

It is a minor vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

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

Synonyms

Sonchus aemulus Merino; Sonchus asper All.; Sonchus asper (L.) Vill.; 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. [Invalid]; Sonchus glaber Thunb.; Sonchus infestus Poepp. ex DC.; Sonchus oleraceus var. asper L.; Sonchus spinosus Lam.; Sonchus spinulosus Bigel.; Sonchus sulphureus Boiss.; Sonchus tibesticus Quezel; Sonchus umbellatus E. Mey. ex DC.; Sonchus viridis Zenari;