spiny sowthistle.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien

Facile

Type de plante

Annual herb

Lumière

Full sun

Lumière en intérieur

Soleil direct

Arrosage

Tous les 3 à 7 jours

Taille adulte

3 to 4 feet

Croissance

Rapide

Rusticité

USDA 4 à 9

Floraison

Spring to autumn

Entretien

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.

Arrosage

Keep the soil consistently moist while the plant is establishing.

Engrais

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

Taille

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

Rempotage

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

Sol

Well-draining, disturbed soil

pH du sol

6.0 to 7.5

Température

-10 à 35°C

Humidité

30 à 80%

Résistance à la sécheresse

Moyenne

Durée de vie

Annual, typically 1 year

Résistance aux chevreuils et lapins

Moyenne

Sécurité

Humains

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

Enfants

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

Allergènes de contact

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

Allergènes aéroportés

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

Comestibilité

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

Comment l'identifier

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

Hauteur

0,3 à 1m

Envergure

0,2 à 0,45m

Feuilles

green, deciduous

Fleurs

yellow, 1,5 à 2,5cm

Fruits

brown, Summer to autumn

Problèmes courants

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

La cultiver

Multiplication

seed

Quand planter

spring, autumn

Hivernage

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

En pot

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.

Bonnes associations

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

Espèces similaires

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

Science

Famille

Asteraceae

Genre

Sonchus

Ordre

Asterales

Classe

Magnoliopsida

Région d'origine

Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia.

Préservation

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.

Intérêt pour la faune

nectar source

Pollinisateurs

abeilles, papillons

Utilisations

foraging, wildlife habitat

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

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.

D'où vient le nom

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.

Bon à savoir

• 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.