Sonchus arvensis

Sonchus arvensis, the field milk thistle, field sowthistle, perennial sow-thistle, corn sow thistle, dindle, gutweed, swine thistle, or tree sow thistle, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. S. arvensis often occurs in annual crop fields and may cause substantial yield losses.

Description

A coarse spiny herb. It grows 25-115 cm high. The lower leaves have backward pointing lobes. They are prickly along the edge. The leaves are 10-25 cm long. The upper leaves have less lobes and do not have leaf stalks. The flowers are yellow disks. Several flower heads occur together in open clusters. The fruit is a dry flattened achene.

Edible Uses

Young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked — added to salads or prepared like spinach. They have a slightly bitter taste and are rich in mineral salts and vitamin C, containing approximately 47mg of vitamin C per 100g and 2% protein by dry weight. Removing the marginal prickles is advisable though not strictly necessary. The stems can be cooked like asparagus or rhubarb. Young roots can also be cooked, and the roasted root makes a coffee substitute.

Traditional Uses

The young leaves, gathered before the flowers appear, can be added to salads or boiled for 5-10 minutes. They are also fried. The roots are used as a substitute for coffee.

Medicinal Uses

The leaves can be applied as a poultice and are said to have anti-inflammatory activity. An infusion of the leaves has been used to treat caked breasts. A tea made from the roots is used for asthma, coughs, and other chest complaints. A tea from the leaves is said to calm the nerves.

Known Hazards

The young leaves, when less than a few inches long and not bitter in taste, can be mixed with other greens to make salad. They can also be boiled in a small quantity of water, changed once. The plant can contain toxic nitrates.

Distribution

It is a temperate climate plant. It grows in waste places and fields and along roadsides. In Indonesia it grows between 50 and 650 m above sea level. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,200 m above sea level. It grows in swampy meadows.

Where It Grows

Africa, Alaska, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bangladesh, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Central America, Central Asia, Chile, China, Europe*, Fiji, Guatemala, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Mongolia, Myanmar, New Zealand, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Philippines, SE Asia, South Africa, South America, Tajikistan, USA,

Cultivation

A common garden weed, see notes on its habitat if you want to encourage it. This species has been cultivated for its edible leaves by the Maoris of New Zealand, in Indonesia there are improved varieties selected for their edible leaves. A good companion for onions, tomatoes, corn as well as the cucumber and squash family. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring directly in situ. As a common garden weed, this species should not normally need any additional encouragement to establish.

Other Uses

The plant is said to have insecticidal properties. It is a good companion plant for onions, tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, and the squash family. It also functions as a dynamic accumulator and is suitable for food forest settings.

Notes

There are about 60 Sonchus species.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Banpalang, Birbarangon, Cerraja arvense, Dindle, Huerca, Huring najom puru, Jalynniar, Jangli tamaku, Ki-lan-jiat, Kostrets, Kostriika, Niu she tou, Perennial Sowthistle, Poi botiazgan, Sahadevi bari, Suryafuli, Tempuyung, Tok ruru ao, Yerba del campo

References (44)

• Altschul, S.V.R., 1973, Drugs and Foods from Little-known Plants. Notes in Harvard University Herbaria. Harvard Univ. Press. Massachusetts. no. 5033
• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 584
• Ara, R. I. T., 2015, Leafy Vegetables in Bangladesh. Photon eBooks. p 157
• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 937
• Bodner, C. C. and Gereau, R. E., 1988, A Contribution to Bontoc Ethnobotany. Economic Botany, 43(2): 307-369

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