Weed Identification >
Thistle
Common Name
Thistles, Sow Thistle
Scientific Name
Sochus spp
Family
Asteraceae
Lifecycle
Annual
Seasons of Growth
Autumn / Spring
Key Distinguishing Feature
Yellow flowers that flower most of the year.
An erect, hairless, branched plant with sprays of yellow, thistle type flowers at the ends of branches and large, soft, lobed leaves. Common Sowthistle is an erect, hairless, annual or biennial herb about 1m tall with hollow stems which have a milky sap.
Basal leaves are up to 30cm long, form a rosette and are soft and lobed or toothed. The yellow flower heads are clustered, each about 2cm in diameter. The tiny fruits are short and flattened. It flowers for much of the year but mainly in spring and early summer.
