Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Asteraceae / Compositae ⟩ Sonchus arvensis / perennial sow-thistle

Sonchus arvensis L.

perennial sow-thistle (Asteraceae / Compositae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
Very widespreadNegligible tendencyS
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Sonchus arvensis is a widespread perennial herb of coasts, river-banks and waste ground.

Tralee (VCH2: North Kerry); 2019-07-24

 perennial sow-thistle / Sonchus arvensis: _Sonchus arvensis_ is a widespread perennial herb of coasts, river-banks and waste ground.

Unlike Sonchus asper and Sonchus oleraceus which are largely hairless, Sonchus arvensis typically has a woolly covering of yellowish gladular hairs on its capitula.

Blagdon (VC6: North Somerset); 2015-09-30

 perennial sow-thistle / Sonchus arvensis: Unlike _Sonchus asper_ and _Sonchus oleraceus_ which are largely hairless, _Sonchus arvensis_ typically has a woolly covering of yellowish gladular hairs on its capitula.

In seed

Newborough (VC52: Anglesey); 1997-08-15

 perennial sow-thistle / Sonchus arvensis: In seed

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne