Sonchus arvensis – Perennial Sow Thistle

It can be found in sunny areas such as gardens, fields, and waste places.

Perennial sow thistle has a dandelion-like flower, but unlike dandelion, there will be multiple flowers per stalk. Flowering stalks will be densely hairy. The hollow stem will produce a milky substance when broken. The leaves start as a basal rosette and are irregular and toothed. Leaves on the stalk will clasp the stem.

Leaves are best collected when young, before the plant flowers. The leaves become increasingly bitter with age. Young leaves can be enjoyed raw like radicchio or cooked like spinach.

Sow thistles are also used medicinally. The sap is applied topically to remove warts. A tea from the plant was drank to hasten childbirth and used as a sedative.

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Written by Amy Demers, founder of the Connecticut Foraging Club. To learn more about foraging in Connecticut, check out our upcoming classes.