spiny sowthistle.

De un vistazo

Nivel de cuidados

Fácil

Tipo de planta

Annual herb

Luz

Full sun

Luz en interior

Sol directo

Riego

Cada 3 a 7 días

Tamaño adulto

3 to 4 feet

Ritmo de crecimiento

Rápido

Rusticidad

USDA 4 a 9

Floración

Spring to autumn

Cuidados

This plant thrives in full sun and tolerates a wide range of soil conditions. Watch for rapid spread, as it produces many wind-dispersed seeds. It is generally considered a weed and requires no special care.

Riego

Keep the soil consistently moist while the plant is establishing.

Abonado

Fertilizer is not necessary as this plant grows readily in most soils.

Poda

Remove flower heads before they go to seed to prevent unwanted spread.

Trasplante

This plant is typically grown in the ground and does not require repotting.

Suelo

Well-draining, disturbed soil

pH del suelo

6.0 to 7.5

Temperatura

-10 a 35°C

Humedad

30 a 80%

Tolerancia a la sequía

Moderada

Longevidad

Annual, typically 1 year

Resistencia a ciervos y conejos

Moderada

Seguridad

Personas

It is generally considered non toxic, though the milky sap may cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals.

Niños

The plant is not inherently dangerous, but the prickly leaf margins can scratch delicate skin if handled roughly.

Alérgenos por contacto

The milky latex sap can cause skin irritation or contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.

Alérgenos en el aire

The pollen may cause mild hay fever symptoms in susceptible people during the peak flowering season.

Comestibilidad

While the young leaves are sometimes eaten, they can be bitter and are often considered a famine food rather than a culinary staple.

Cómo identificarla

• Prickly, jagged leaf margins
• Yellow dandelion-like flower heads
• Milky sap inside stems
• Basal rosette of leaves
• Fluffy white seed heads

Altura

0,3 a 1m

Anchura

0,2 a 0,45m

Hojas

green, deciduous

Flores

yellow, 1,5 a 2,5cm

Frutos

brown, Summer to autumn

Problemas frecuentes

• Aphids — Small insects that cluster on new growth and flower buds.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagación

seed

Cuándo plantar

spring, autumn

Cuidados en invierno

It typically dies back in winter, leaving seeds to germinate in the following spring.

En maceta

It grows well in containers, but its rapid growth and seed production make it a poor choice for most pots.

Because it is a vigorous grower, it is best kept away from delicate garden beds where it may outcompete desired plants.

Buenas compañeras

• Diente de león — They share similar environmental preferences and often grow in the same disturbed habitats.

Especies parecidas

• Common sowthistle — It looks very similar but has less prickly, more deeply lobed leaves.

Ciencia

Familia

Asteraceae

Género

Sonchus

Orden

Asterales

Clase

Magnoliopsida

Distribución natural

Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia.

Conservación

It is a common, widespread weed and is not of conservation concern.

It is a pioneer species that quickly colonizes disturbed ground and open areas.

Valor para la fauna

nectar source

Polinizadores

abejas, mariposas

Usos

foraging, wildlife habitat

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

Is this plant a weed?

Yes, it is widely considered an agricultural and garden weed due to its aggressive seed dispersal.

Can I eat it?

Young leaves are edible when cooked, but they are often bitter and not commonly consumed.

De dónde viene el nombre

The genus name Sonchus comes from the Greek word for hollow, referring to the stems, while asper is Latin for rough, describing the prickly leaves.

Bueno saberlo

• It is often called spiny sowthistle because of its prickly leaves.
• The seeds have fluffy white bristles that help them travel long distances on the wind.
• It is a member of the daisy family.
• It thrives in disturbed soil and is often found in gardens and along roadsides.