Sonchus oleraceus
Sow Thistle
a biennial member of the Sonchus genus in the family Compositae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Compositae
- Genus
- Sonchus
- Life cycle
- biennial
- Height
- 1 m
- Fertility
- Bees, Flies
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees, Flies
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Young leaves - raw or cooked[11][16][19][3][17]. This species has the nicest tasting leaves of the genus[6], they usually have a mild agreeable flavour[12] especially in the spring[K]. They can be added to salads, cooked like spinach or used in soups etc[10]. The leaves contain about 30 - 40mg of vitamin C per 100g[8], 1.2% protein, 0.3% fat, 2.4% carbohydrate, 1.2% ash[9]. A zero moisture analysis is also available[13]. It might be best, though it is not essential, to remove the marginal prickles[19]. Stems - cooked like asparagus or rhubarb[2]. They are best if the outer skin is removed first[10]. Young root - cooked[2]. They are woody and not very acceptable[5]. The milky sap has been used as a chewing gum by the Maoris of New Zealand[10].
- Product or use
- Gum
- 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 plant is emmenagogue and hepatic[18][15]. An infusion has been used to bring on a tardy menstruation and to treat diarrhoea[15]. The latex in the sap is used in the treatment of warts[13]. It is also said to have anticancer activity[13]. The stem juice is a powerful hydrogogue and cathartic, it should be used with great caution since it can cause colic and tenesmus[13]. The gum has been used as a cure for the opium habit[15]. The leaves are applied as a poultice to inflammatory swellings[16]. An infusion of the leaves and roots is febrifuge and tonic[14].
- Product or use
- Cancer
- Product or use
- Emmenagogue
- Product or use
- Febrifuge
- Product or use
- Hepatic
- Product or use
- Hydrogogue
- Product or use
- Poultice
- Product or use
- Tonic
- Product or use
- Warts
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The latex in the stem contains 0.14% rubber, but this is much too low for commercial exploitation[13].
- Product or use
- Latex
Environment
- Range
- Europe, including Britain, south and east from Scandanavia to N. Africa, N. and W. Asia.
- Habitat
- Waysides, waste and cultivated ground[7]. A common weed, avoiding acid soils and shady positions[1].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow spring in situ. This species is a common garden weed and should not need any encouragement.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in most soils in a sunny position. This plant has been cultivated for its edible leaves by the Maoris of New Zealand[6]. The plant is a good companion for onions, tomatoes, corn as well as the cucumber and squash family[4].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Loewenfeld. C. and Back. P. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-7971-2
Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3
Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7
Cribb. A. B. and J. W. Wild Food in Australia. Fontana 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-00-634436-4
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
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Crowe. A. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-340-508302
Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Les Ecologistes de l'Euzi�re Les Salades Sauvages Not given. 1994-00-00 ISBN 2-906128-04-X
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-584-10141-4
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2