Practical
Plants

Sonchus arvensis

Field Milk Thistle

a perennial member of the Sonchus genus in the family Compositae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Sonchus
Life cycle
perennial
Height
1.2 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera, Beetles, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera, Beetles, Self

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young leaves - raw or cooked[12][13][14][15]. A slightly bitter taste, they can be added to salads or cooked like spinach[16][7]. The leaves are rich in mineral salts and vitamin C[16], they contain about 47mg of vitamin C per 100g and 2% protein (dry weight)[5]. It might be best, though it is not necessary, to remove the marginal prickles[16]. Stems - cooked like asparagus or rhubarb[2]. Young root - cooked[2]. The roasted root is used as a coffee substitute[6][7].

Product or use
Coffee
Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Root
Plant part
Stem

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves are used as a poultice and are said to have anti-inflammatory activity[12][10]. An infusion of the leaves has been used in the treatment of caked breasts[11]. A tea made from the roots is used in the treatment of asthma, coughs and other chest complaints[10]. A tea made from the leaves is said to calm the nerves[10].

Product or use
Antiinflammatory
Product or use
Pectoral
Product or use
Sedative

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant is said to have insecticidal properties[9].

Product or use
Insecticide

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, south and east from Scandanavia to Spain and W. Asia.
Habitat
Arable and waste land, ditches and on the drift line of salt and brackish margins, avoiding acid soils[12][16][4]. A persistent weed of cultivation[1].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant
Salinity
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in situ. A common garden weed, this species should not normally need any assistance.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A common garden weed, see notes on its habitat if you want to encourage it. This species has been cultivated for its edible leaves by the Maoris of New Zealand, in Indonesia there are improved varieties selected for their edible leaves[3][7]. A good companion for onions, tomatoes, corn as well as the cucumber and squash family[8].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Loewenfeld. C. and Back. P. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-7971-2

    ↩1↩2

  3. Brooker. S. G., Cambie. R. C. and Cooper. R. C. Economic Native Plants of New Zealand. Oxford University Press 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-19-558229-2

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  4. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

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  5. Crowe. A. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-340-508302

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  6. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  7. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

    ↩

  9. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

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  10. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩

  12. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  13. Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219060-5

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  14. Larkcom. J. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn 1980-00-00

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  15. Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-584-10141-4

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  16. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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