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Prickly Sow-thistle

Botanical Name: Sonchus asper
Other names: Spiny sow-thistle, Spiny milk-thistle, Spiny-leaved sow-thistle, Spiny annual sow-thistle
Family: Asteraceae

Annual, spreading by seed which have short plumes (pappus) of silvery-green hairs. The young basal leaves are not spiney and are a different shape to the later mature ones which arise alternately on the upright hollow stem, and can be added to salads.
Flowers from June to August, bright yellow.
Height - up to 90 cm.
It is easily uprooted unless it has grown in a crevice.
Weedkillers to use:-
Dichlobenil prevents emergence of seedlings amongst established woody plants, for up to one year.
Paraquat, Diquat kills on contact.
Glyphosate, systemic action killing the whole plant.

Also Smooth Sow-thistle and the Perennial Sow-thistle have similar basal leaves and bright yellow flowers.

See also Wall Lettuce which has similar basal leaves.

Follow these links for further details on Weeds, Weed Removal and Weed Prevention.

picture of PRICKLY SOW-THISTLE

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