Bayshore/ Spiny-leaved Sow Thistle

COMMON NAME: Spiny-Leaved Sow Thistle

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Prickly Sow thistle

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Sonchus asper   

FAMILY: Asteraceae

COMMUNITY: Bayshore

STATUS: Non-Native ~ Native of Europe

LIFESPAN: Annual

HEIGHT: 1 to 8 feet

FLOWERING TIME: Early June to late August

FRUITING TIME: Mid-July to mid-October

DISTRIBUTION: Newfoundland to Florida and to west coast of United States ~ Statewide in NJ

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Leaves very spiny, curling at bases and clasping a smooth ridged stem, obovate, lobeless, ribs on each face ~ Bitter milky juice ~ Blossoms yellow, dandelion-like in loose somewhat flat-topped clusters of fine bristles surrounding the fruit which is an achene (small, 1-celled)

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. Spiny-Leaved Sow Thistle is often a weed. After removing the spines, Spiny-Leaved Sow Thistle can be eaten like a Common Dandelion as a cooked green or salad. This plant is considered a weed and can be found on open disturbed ground.

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.