Bayshore/ Field Sow Thistle

COMMON NAME: Field Sow Thistle

OTHER COMMON NAME(S):

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Sonchus arvensis   

FAMILY: Asteraceae

COMMUNITY: Bayshore

STATUS: Naturalized from Europe

LIFESPAN: Perennial

HEIGHT: 1 1/2 to 6 feet

FLOWERING TIME: Late June to late October

FRUITING TIME: Early August to late November

DISTRIBUTION: Newfoundland to Virginia and west to Indiana ~ Scattered statewide in NJ

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Leaves prickly-edged, middle and lower more lobed than upper ~ Flowers yellow, dandelion-like in loose somewhat flat-topped clusters of fine bristles ~ Hairy bracts and stalks ~ Root long vertical and spreading by creeping root ~ Bitter milky juice

GENERAL INFORMATION: This large family (Asteraceae), commonly called the Aster Family, consists of 1,314 genera and 21,000 species of herbs, shrubs, climbers and a few trees is found chiefly in temperate and subtropical regions.  The plants are of value to man as ornamentals; a few are insecticides and fish poisons. Field Sow Thistle often becomes an invasive weed. After removing the spines, the young leaves Field Sow Thistle can be eaten like Common Dandelion as cooked greens or in salad.  The leaves of the older plant are bitter.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.