Sonchus oleraceus

For other uses of "milkweed", see milkweed (disambiguation).

Common sowthistle
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Tribe:	Cichorieae
Genus:	Sonchus
Species:	S. oleraceus
Binomial name
Sonchus oleraceus L.

Sonchus oleraceus (Common sowthistle, Sow thistle, Smooth Sow Thistle, Annual Sow Thistle, Hare's Colwort, Hare's Thistle, Milky Tassel, Swinies) is a medicinal plant native to Asia and Europe, which is nutritious food for humans and most livestock.

Nutritive qualities

Green salad with carrot, cucumber, onion, Sonchus oleraceus leaves and tomato slices.

The common name Sow thistle refers to its attractiveness to swine and the similarity of the leaf to the ear of a pig, while the oleraceus portion of the Latin name refers to its delectable nature [1] (sonchus refers to the hollow stem). Another common name Hare's thistle refers to its beneficial effects and attractiveness for hare and rabbits.

It also has been ascribed medicinal qualities similar to dandelion and succory.[2] Leaves are usually the part which people eat, and they are useful as salad greens, or cooked like spinach. Blanching or boiling removes bitter flavour. Nutritional analysis reveals 30 – 40 mg of vitamin C per 100g, 1.2% protein, 0.3% fat, 2.4% carbohydrate.

Leaf dry weight analysis [3] shows per 100g (likely to vary with growing conditions):

45g Carbohydrate, 28g protein, 22g ash, 5.9g fibre, 4.5g fat; in all, providing 265 calories.

Minerals
Calcium: 1500 mg
Phosphorus: 500 mg
Iron: 45.6 mg
Magnesium: 0 mg
Sodium: 0 mg
Potassium: 0 mg
Zinc: 0 mg;

Vitamins
A: 35 mg
Thiamine (B₁): 1.5 mg
Riboflavin (B₂): 5 mg
Niacin: 5 mg
B₆: 0 mg
C: 60 mg

Cultivation

This plant is considered an invasive species in many parts of the world, where it is found mostly in disturbed areas. It spreads by seed which is carried by wind or water, and can often be controlled by mowing as it does not regrow from root fragments. This is one of the species used in Chinese cuisine as kŭcài (苦菜; lit. bitter vegetable).

Botanical characteristics

The flowers are hermaphrodite, and common pollinators include bees or flies.[4] Prefers full sun, but can tolerate most soil conditions.

Medicinal value

Sonchus oleraceus has a variety of medicinal uses.[5] Parts of the plant have been used variously to stimulate menstrual flow, alter liver function, stimulate fluid elimination, stall defecation, and to combat cancer, warts, inflammation and fever.

Control

Attempts at weed control by herbicidal use, to the neglect of other methods, may have led to a proliferation of this species in some environments.[6]

External links

• Annual Sow-thistle (Sonchus oleraceus) Photos, Drawings, Text. (Wild Plants of Winnipeg from Nature Manitoba)