Spiny Sowthistle
Sonchus asper
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Azores, Baleares, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Burkina, Cameroon, Canary Is., Chad, Corse, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Djibouti, East Aegean Is., Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Gulf States, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Kriti, Krym, Kuril Is., Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Madeira, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Guinea, Nigeria, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Selvagens, Senegal, Sicilia, Sinai, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan-South Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Yemen
Didier Descouens
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Sonchus
- Species:
- Sonchus asper
- USDA Symbol:
- SOAS
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Rotruda mucidella
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Common eastern (Bombus impatiens)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, bees
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in disturbed soils
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment. Light may improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI