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Sonchus asper  (L.) Hill
Spiny sowthistle
© 2010 Michael Mitchell
© 2020 Julie A. Kierstead
© 2017 MCOSD Restoration Crew
© 2010 Michael Mitchell
© 2017 MCOSD Restoration Crew
© 2020 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2017 Gregory Arena
© 2018 MCOSD EDRR
© 2018 MCOSD EDRR
© 2015 Chris Jaster
© 2017 Ryan Porter
© 2023 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2022 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2018 Angelique Herman
© 2023 Alaine Arslan
© 2011 Michael Mitchell
© 2010 Michael Mitchell
© 2020 Julie A. Kierstead
© 2020 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2021 Cynthia Powell
Sonchus asper is an annual herb that is not native to California.
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Bloom Period
Subspecies and Varieties:
Genus: Sonchus
Family: Asteraceae  
Category: angiosperm  
PLANTS group:Dicot
Jepson eFlora section: eudicot

Wetlands:
Arid West: Equally likely to occur in wetlands and non wetlands
Mountains, Valleys and Coast: Occurs usually in non wetlands, occasionally in wetlands

Habitat: disturbed

Communities: wetland-riparian, weed, characteristic of disturbed places

Name Status:
Accepted by PLANTS + POWO

Alternate Names:
PLANTSSonchus asper ssp. glaucescens
PLANTSSonchus nymanii
Information about  Sonchus asper from other sources
USDA PLANTS Profile (SOAS)

Photos on Calflora

Photos on CalPhotos

Google Images

Photos on iNaturalist

[Wikipedia] Europe, Africa, Asia Native, Weed Elsewhere, Edible Leaves: Sonchus asper is native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. It has also become naturalized on other continents and is regarded as a noxious, invasive weed in many places. Its edible leaves make a palatable and nutritious leaf vegetable.[7][8][9][10][11] (link added by Mary Ann Machi)


Suggested Citation
Calflora: Information on California plants for education, research and conservation, with data contributed by public and private institutions and individuals. [web application]. 2025. The Calflora Database [a non-profit organization]. Available: https://www.calflora.org/   (Accessed: 03/28/2025).