Sonchus asper

Other Names: Milk thistle

Introduced From: Europe, North Africa and Western Asia

Habitat: Gardens, pastures, roadsides, coastal sand dunes.

Uses: The cooked leaves are an ancient vegetable. The young leaves can be used raw in salads if you aren't too fussy. Young peeled stalks may also be eaten (probably best cooked or at least steamed).

References: Low (Weeds), Richardson and Shepherd

About Sowthistle

Sonchus species are common weeds found in a lot of places. The flowers are distincvive, and they grow taller than most of the weedy-type plants that appear by themselves in the areas that sowthistles are found. They are popular vegetables eaten by peasant peoples in Africa and Asia.

Photo: Sonchus asper, Prickly Sowthistle. Blaxland, Blue Mountains NSW.

Photo: Sonchus asper, Prickly Sowthistle. Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains NSW.

Photo: Sonchus asper, Prickly Sowthistle. Blaxland, Blue Mountains NSW.

Photo: Sonchus asper, Prickly Sowthistle. Blaxland, Blue Mountains NSW.

See Also

Australian Mammals
Australian Birds
Australian Reptiles
Australian Frogs
Australian Fish
Australian Spiders and Their Faces

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