sow thistles
ExplorePlants
sow thistles
Sonchus
Sow thistles are bright yellow flowers that grow in many places. They have soft, fuzzy leaves and can be found in gardens and fields. These plants are fun to spot because they often attract butterflies!
Habitat: Urban areas
Appearance
The sow thistles has bright yellow, dandelion-like flowers with many thin petals atop hollow, often purplish stems. Its green leaves are deeply lobed or toothed, sometimes prickly, and clasp the stem, releasing milky sap when broken.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusSonchus
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Its leaves are packed with vitamins and can be eaten by people like spinach!
Pigs absolutely love to munch on sow thistles, which is how they got their name!
Snap a stem and watch milky white "plant milk" ooze out like magic!
This plant is a super fast grower, sometimes shooting up a foot in just weeks!
Special abilities
Ability
Sticky Sap Shield
Sow thistles can ooze milky white sap that helps deter hungry animals from eating its leaves.
Ability
Seed Surfer
Sow thistles has tiny seeds with fluffy parachutes that help them float far on the wind.
Ability
Root Renegade
Sow thistles can regrow from root fragments, making it incredibly tough to remove and spread widely.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-150 cm
- Spread
- 30-60 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-2 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring to Fall
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
collecting nectar and pollen
eaten by
European Rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus
a common food source for rabbits
depends on
Painted Lady
Vanessa cardui
caterpillars feed on its leaves for growth
depends on
Small Tortoiseshell
Aglais urticae
its caterpillars sometimes feed on sow thistle
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Summer Blooming
Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
Medicinal
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always ask an adult before touching or picking any plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is sow thistles?
30-150 cm
How wide does sow thistles spread?
30-60 cm
How big are the flowers on sow thistles?
1-2 cm
When does sow thistles bloom?
Spring to Fall
Is sow thistles edible?
Yes
Is sow thistles toxic?
None
What is sow thistles's lifecycle?
Annual
How is sow thistles pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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