My foraging of wild garlic led me to read up more about wild vegetables. Its young leaves and stems are consumed raw in salads and cooked, both in soups, with legumes, fried with. Other medicinal uses are mainly related to intestinal and skin disorders. The floral bracts at the base of the flower head are dull green, hairless and overlap each other in a vertical series, Achene (a dry indehiscent, non-opening, 1-seeded fruit) that is 2.5-4mm long and 1mm wide, brown, 3-ribbed on each face, wrinkled with narrow margins and compressed and obovoid in shape, Light with white parachutes of silky hairs (pappus), the silky hairs being 5-8mm long, Vitamin K (phylloquinone) 175 µg (145.83%), Spermatophytina  (spermatophytes, seed plants, phanérogames), Lignoceric acid (tetracosanoic acid) 24:00, Linoleic acid 18:2 (octadecadienoic acid), Linolenic acid 18:3 (Octadecatrienoic acid). Eradication of Sow thistle plants from ruderal spots close to farm crops before flowering will prevent the achene spreading by means of wind. Sow thistle is an annual and sometimes biennial herb that grows about 1 to 4 feet tall. CSIRO in Australia has been discovering the possibility of biological control of this weed and has so far recognized a rust fungus Miyagia pseudosphaeria, Aceria thalgi and the potential mycoherbicide pathogen, Aschochyta sonchi. The scientific name's latin roots are: sonchus, hollow stem and oleraceus, delectable nature, herb used in cooking. Season Start: Jan : Season End: Dec : Please note that each and every hedgerow item you come across may vary in appearance to these photos. Already, this will help you narrow down to two plants, and will not for example pick yellow daisies instead. However, deep burial of the seeds prolongs their survival. The mature leaves are thin, soft and dark-green in color with irregularly-toothed margins ending in small, soft spines. *Above mentioned Percent Daily Values (%DVs) are based on 2,000 calorie diet intake. Sonchus borderi Gand. Sow thistles on the other hand, grow tall, and their stems get higher with every section of growth. If white liquid comes out from the central leaf-stem, it is definitely dandelion. The possibility of biological control had apparently been discovered earlier in Canada. The common name hare’s thistle refers to its purported beneficial effects on hare and rabbits. This species has been commonly used as a wild green throughout the Mediterranean region, as recorded in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco. The common name 'sow thistle' derives from its attractiveness to swine and the similarity of its leaf to the pig's ear. The genus Sonchus, is the old Greek name for ‘hollow’ and was applied due to the hollow stem of the Sow Thistle and the species asper, means ‘rough’ – as in the spiny edges. Annual sowthistle inhabits agricultural land and other disturbed locations. Leaves 2½-12" … Classification. Lower the heat to medium and add the Sow thistle leaves while stirring. Also, rabbits seem to like to eat them, hence they are also called hare thistle. Crop rotations must be complied with, as well as suitable timing for summer and autumn ploughing. It is a nutritious plant that contains several minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and zinc) and vitamins (A, B1, B2, B3, B6, & C). (1984) recommended repeated autumn tillage in milder Canadian climates, or in spring after spring emergence of seedlings. Scientific Name Other Common Names; SOASA2: Sonchus asper (L.) Hill ssp. Leaves are applied as a poultice to inflammatory swellings. Smooth sow-thistle arrived in Finland with people. Add a pinch of nutmeg, the flour and some seasoning. subbipinnatifidus Guss. Roots are abortifacient, purgative and vermifuge. Sow thistle Scientific name: Sonchus oleraceus & Sonchus asper (Prickly sow thistle) Sonchus oleraceus ac (Sow thistle) Sonchus asper k (Sow thistle) Sonchus asper aw . Scientific Name: Actites megalocarpa (syn. Herb: Sow Thistle Latin name: Sonchus oleraceus Family: Compositae Medicinal use of Sow Thistle: The plant is emmenagogue and hepatic. Daily values (DVs) may be different depending upon your daily calorie needs. Family: Composite or Aster Family (Compositae) General Description: Very similar to spiny annual sow-thistle in general appearance. angustissimus H.Lindb. Mix together well in a bowl and then add the sliced meat. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); POLICY Prickles can also occur all over the plant – on the stem and on the flat parts of the leaves. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The seedling grows slowly for about two weeks until the leaves are about 3 cm long and then forms a rosette. Jáv. When you pluck off a dandelion leave, try squeezing it a little. triangularis Wallr. The only two plants which have yellow flowers and balls of white flying seeds are sow thistles and dandelions, so you won’t go very wrong there. 4,000-5,000 seeds are produced in one single plant. laciniatus Kirschl. Add minced garlic and saute for another minute. Dioscorides in the first century, mentioned two kinds of sónkhos, one more rough and prickly, the other more tender and edible (Laguna 1555), probably Sonchus asper and S. oleraceus (Osbaldeston 2000). They can be added to salads, cooked like spinach or used in soups, casseroles etc. The other obvious risk is that you might not identify the plant properly. Stir thoroughly so that all the pieces are coated and leave for 30 minutes. Heat olive oil in a big fry pan and saute the red onion for three minutes. Sow Thistle is one of my favorite greens when collected from a young plant growing in partial shade. Your email address will not be published. If alone, the problem is that you identify the right plant but may pluck nearby leaves that could be extremely poisonous. The plant’s scientific name means that it is an edible vegetable. Annual, reproducing only be seed. Gum has been used as a cure for the opium habit. But as you can see from the photo below, dandelions are low and their leaves spread out in a disk. asper : prickly sow thistle SOASG2: Sonchus asper (L.) Hill ssp. Common Name: Perennial sow thistle. Sonchus arvensis Field sow-thistle Laiteron des champs Sonchus asper Prickly sow-thistle Laiteron rude Sonchus oleraceus Common sow-thistle Laiteron potager Symphyotrichum ericoides White heath aster Aster éricode Symphyotrichum laeve Smooth aster Aster lisse Symphyotrichum novae-angliae New England aster Aster de nouvelle- Angleterre Symphyotrichum sericeum Western silvery aster Aster … It is used in the treatment of headaches, general pain, diarrhea, menstrual problems, fever, hepatitis, salmonella infection, wars, eye problems, liver infections, infections, inflammation and rheumatism. They are also used in the treatment of eye problems, gastritis, salmonella infection, kwashiorkor and anemia. Some examples are the Italian misticanza, a salad with a mix of several raw vegetables, the foie and the chòrta vramena, mixtures of several wild herbs previously boiled, the pastissets de brosses and the minxos, in eastern Spain, traditional vegetable pies of wild herbs, or the Moroccan beqoul, a mixture of up to 20 wild food plants used to prepare a springtime meatless dish. Reproducing by seed and from buds on widely spreading, creamy white, brittle, underground roots. integrifolius Wallr. Add a good slug of stock or water, reduce the heat to a simmer and cover. These prickles are an adaptation that protects the plant from being eaten by herbivores. Habitat: disturbed areas, roadsides, ornamental beds. 2. glaucescens (Jord.) Origin. The latex in the sap is used in the treatment of warts. Sonchus megalocarpus) Dune Thistle plant Photo: A J Brown. This is when wild vegetables are at their best: the leaves are young and tender and the frost has already passed. Juice expressed and tanked-up for hemorrhage during childbirth. Click on a scientific name below to expand it in the PLANTS Classification Report. Sonchus oleraceus var. S. arvensis often occurs in annual crop fields and may cause substantial yield losses. First of all, you should not do it alone, but with an experienced person. Once the flowers turn into fruits, you have a ball of white parachutes that fly when the wind blows. Flowers tend to open primarily between the hours of 6 am till 11 am. Because of their ’horta’ eating habits, inhabitants of Crete and Ikaria have unusually long life expectancies (read this Guardian article). Juice of the plant used for cleaning and healing ulcers. Stir everything, then add another knob of butter and melt into the sow-thistle over a low heat. It is a pity that in America they ignore the Chinese etymological origin and rename them ‘eggrolls’. Mentioned values are recommended by a U.S. Department of Agriculture. Milky sap has been used as a chewing gum by the Maoris of New Zealand. Sonchus oleraceus also found in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Falkland Islands, French Southern Territories, Greenland, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Saint Helena, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, United States, Virgin Islands, Common Sow thistle, Milk Thistle, Smooth Saw-thistle, Sow Thistle, Annual Sow thistle, annual milk thistle, hare’s-lettuce, common milk thistle, colewort, field sow thistle, hare’s thistle, small sow thistle, Swinies, Hare’s Colwort, Common Milk Sow-thistle, Milky Tassel, Milk-weed, Thalaak, Fields, orchards, roadsides, gardens, waste areas, forests, grassland, riparian habitats, freshwater wetlands, coastal estuaries and dunes, pastures, open disturbed areas in cultivated land, near waterways, burned areas, construction sites, and rail yards, edges of yards, vacant lots, areas adjacent to buildings, Primarily on humus-rich, chalky, mild soils well-supplied with nutrients, Tap root system which is upright with many branches. Ball: SONY2: Sonchus nymanii Tineo & Guss. The first leaves are round with a slightly toothed margin with a few spines. Disclaimer, e-mail: [email protected] I know it's not easy. Perennial sow-thistle seed germinates when the soil has warmed in the spring, usually mid-to late May in Alberta. It has also been used as animal fodder, especially for rabbits, pigs, and hens, as recorded in Spain and Portugal. Sonchus oleraceus, with many common names including common sowthistle, sow thistle, smooth sow thistle, annual sow thistle, hare's colwort, hare's thistle, milky tassel, milk thistle, soft thistle, or swinies, is a plant in the dandelion tribe within the daisy family.It is native to Europe and western Asia. Stir for a minute, and then add the meat. The first leaves are round with a slightly toothed margin with a few spines. Sow thistle with red onion, goat cheese and pine nuts. Noxious weeds are plant species that are designated as "noxious weeds" in the Alberta weed regulation. Click on an acronym to view each weed list, or click here for a composite list of Weeds of the U.S. Wide range of herbicides is being used to control Sow thistle either pre- or post-emergence in different crops. All rights reserved. The leaf shape resembles dandelion or chicory but has spines along the margin of the leaf. The older a plant is, the more the leaves will look thistle-like. Its leaves are considered refreshing and depurative, and they were directly consumed or prepared in infusion as a liver protector, or against pyrosis. The plant is found growing in fields, orchards, roadsides, gardens, waste areas, forests, grassland, riparian habitats, freshwater wetlands, coastal estuaries, dunes, pastures, open disturbed areas in cultivated land, near waterways, burned areas, construction sites, rail yards, edges of yards, vacant lots and areas adjacent to buildings. As for the sow thistle’s botanical name: Sonchus is the ancient Greek name for the plant and means “hollow” referring to the plant’s hollow stem, a point of identification. It is also said to have anticancer activity. Leaves . An infusion has been used to bring on a tardy menstruation and to treat diarrhoea. This species is commonly prepared in mixtures with other wild species, as recorded in different Mediterranean recipes. Whole plant with sticky white juice. Calories 33 K cal. Apart from that the common name sow thistle refers to its attractiveness to swine, and the similarity of the leaf to younger thistle plants. Leaves are said to clear infections, and are diuretic, hepatic, sedative and stomachic. Your email address will not be published. First year rosettes form vertical roots up to 2 m deep, produce vegetative buds from depths up to 50 cm and horizontal roots with a spread of 60-100 cm. Noxious weeds must be controlled, meaning their growth or spread needs to be prevented. Closer-view-of-Flowering-buds-of-Sow-thistle, Sow-thistle-Flower-bud-infested-with-aphids. Next, make up a marinade from the remainder of the first group of ingredients, using a splash of soy sauce, slugs of water and wine, seasoning and pinches of corn flour and sugar. © 2020 Healthbenefitstimes. Sonchus eryngioides DC. Calculations are based on average age of 19 to 50 years and weighs 194 lbs. But fortunately, dandelions leaves are also edible! Sonchus spinosus … Its flowers have also been used to curdle, 1 or 2 handfuls sow-thistle leaves – young. An infusion of the leaves and roots is febrifuge and tonic. Common Sow Thistle. The plant has deep tap root system which is upright with many branches.