Sonchus tenerrimus

Linn.

Clammy Sowthistle

Asteraceae Edible: Vegetable, Leaves 8,432 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Source: Wikipedia

Sonchus tenerrimus is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common name slender sowthistle. It is native to the Mediterranean region of southern Europe, northern Africa, and the Middle East. It has been found as well in several other locations around the world, historically in association with ship ballast in coastal regions. It has become naturalized in a few places, such as California in the United States and Baja California in Mexico. Sonchus tenerrimus is an annual or perennial herb producing a slender, branching stem up to about 80 centimeters (32 inches) tall. The leaves are deeply divided into many variously shaped lobes which may have toothed edges or smaller lobes. The inflorescence bears flower heads lined with glandular, hairy to woolly phyllaries. They are filled with numerous yellow ray florets but no disc florets. The fruit is an achene up to a centimeter long including its pappus.

Description

A herb. It can take 1 or 2 years to complete its life cycle of keep growing from several years. The stems are usually branched and hairless. The leaves are oblong in outline. They are divided into leaflets along the stalk. The leaflet lobes narrow near the base. They are narrow and may or may not have teeth. The upper leaves clasp the stem and often have white hairs. The flower heads are 20-30 mm across. There are 27-35 flower bracts.

Edible Uses

The leaves can be eaten raw and work well in salads.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are eaten in soups and raw in salads.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It grows on waste and grassy land. It grows in warm temperate places. In Argentina it grows below 500 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Africa, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Balkans, Chile, Croatia, Europe, France, Greece, Italy, Mediterranean, Morocco, North Africa, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Sicily, South America, Spain, St Helena, Turkey, Türkiye,

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will succeed in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors at least in the milder parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in most soils in a sunny position.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring directly in situ.

Other Uses

None known

Notes

There are about 60 Sonchus species.

Also Known As

Cardedda di muru, Cerraja, Gardu minzone, Sevaune, Sow-thistle-of-the-wall, Tifaf, Zicoria burda

References (20)

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Biscotti, N. et al, 2018, The traditional food use of wild vegetables in Apulia (Italy) in the light of Italian ethnobotanical literature. Italian Botanist 5:1-24
Blamey, M and Grey-Wilson, C., 2005, Wild flowers of the Mediterranean. A & C Black London. p 466
Blanco-Salas, J., et al, 2019, Wild Plants Potentially Used in Human Food in the Protected Area “Sierra Grande de Hornachos” of Extremadura (Spain). Sustainability 2019, 11, 456
Bonet, M. A. & Valles, J., 2002, Use of non-crop food vascular plants in Montseny biosphere reserve (Catalonia, Iberian Peninsula). International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition (2002) 53, 225–248

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