Perennial Sow Thistle
ExplorePlants
Perennial Sow Thistle
Sonchus arvensis
Perennial Sow Thistle is a leafy plant that grows in fields and gardens. It has bright yellow flowers that look like little suns and can grow tall, making it easy to spot!
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Perennial Sow Thistle is a tall plant with bright yellow, dandelion-like flower heads. Its deeply lobed, often prickly-edged leaves clasp the stem, which contains a distinctive milky-white sap. This helps distinguish it from true thistles.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusSonchus
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Even though it's called a 'thistle,' its spines are usually soft, unlike true thistles.
Its bright yellow flowers are like mini suns that track the sun across the sky!
The stem contains a milky sap that some ancient cultures used as a remedy.
This plant can grow back from a tiny piece of root, making it super tough!
Special abilities
Ability
Underground Traveler
Perennial Sow Thistle can spread far and wide using underground stems, helping it colonize new areas quickly.
Ability
Milky Shield
Perennial Sow Thistle has a milky sap that helps it defend against hungry animals trying to eat its leaves.
Ability
Deep Drinker
Perennial Sow Thistle has a deep taproot that helps it find water and nutrients far underground, even in dry spots.
Ability
Wind Rider
Perennial Sow Thistle produces many feathery seeds that help it spread easily by wind to distant locations.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 50-150 cm
- Spread
- 30-100 cm
- Flower Size
- 2-3 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer-fall
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey bee
Apis mellifera
Gathers nectar and pollen
parasitizes
Sow thistle aphid
Uroleucon sonchi
Sucks sap from stems
eaten by
European rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Browses on leaves and stems
pollinates
Painted Lady
Vanessa cardui
Adult butterflies drink nectar
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Nitrogen Fixing
Describes organisms capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into compounds usable by plants.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Rapid Growing
Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
Symbiotic
Describes a relationship between two different species where they live in close association, often benefiting one or both.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always check with an adult before touching or eating any plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Perennial Sow Thistle?
50-150 cm
How wide does Perennial Sow Thistle spread?
30-100 cm
How big are the flowers on Perennial Sow Thistle?
2-3 cm
When does Perennial Sow Thistle bloom?
Summer-fall
Is Perennial Sow Thistle edible?
Yes
Is Perennial Sow Thistle toxic?
None
What is Perennial Sow Thistle's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Perennial Sow Thistle pollinated?
Insect
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