Edible plant - novice Season - spring to autumn Common names Smooth sowthistle, sow-thistle, hare's colwort, milky tassel, swinies, hare's thistle, hare's lettuce, thallak, common sowthistle
Scientific name meaning: The genus name Sonchus is of Greek origin and means hollow. This is in reference to smooth sowthistle's hollow stem. Interestingly for what is now considered a weed, the species name oleraceus is a Latin word meaning from the vegetable garden
Habitat  Smooth sowthistle can be found in most temperate regions but is native of Europe and Asia. It will grow in garden borders, plant pots, agricultural land and wasteground. It likes sunshine and moist soils. |
Overall structure  Forms a basal rosette of leaves before producing a flower stalk in summer that can reach 1.5m. It is a member of the daisy family and has dandelion-like yellow flowers. |
Leaves  The basal leaves are pinnately lobed with toothed edges. There are fine, soft spines around the edge of each leaf. The leaves can be grey green to bright green. The stem leaves are similar but have long auricles (lobes) at their base that grasp the stem. The uppermost stem leaves at roughly oval-shaped. When damaged, older leave ooze white latex. |
Stem  The stem can reach 1.5m and has a circular cross section. It is hollow. |
Flowers  The flowerheads are composite and consist mostly of ray flowers. They are yellow and similar in appearance to those of a dandelion. |
Seeds  Once pollinated, bristly seed-like fruits, achenes, form. Each of these has a silky parachute-like pappus attached to it enabling it to be distributed by wind over a wide area. The cluster of these that forms after the flowers have been pollinated gives it what is often referred to as a "clock" seed head. |
Possible lookalikes  Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) is a potential poisonous lookalike but its leaves do not have fine spikes around the edge. Dandelions and members of the true thistle family, Cirsium, could also be confused with smooth sowthistle but both of these are edible and the latter has much tougher spikes and leaves. |
Use as a food Smooth sowthistle is best eaten before flowering, after which time the plant becomes bitter. Young leaves can be eaten raw in salads or steamed and used in the same way as spinach. The leaves of the basal rosette tend to have more spikes but are generally less bitter. The stems can also be used like asparagus but are far superior if the outer layer of skin is removed first Use in herbal medicine and medicine Smooth sowthistle has been used for a number of ailments including fevers, slow or late menstruation and diarrhoea. The latter is interesting as juice from the stem is thought to have cathartic properties and therefore cause the evacuation of the bowels. Overuse is cautioned as colic and tenesmus are potential side effects.
Poultices have been made from leaves, while the latex has been used to treat warts.
If you are suffering from any ailment or need medical advice, please see your General Practitioner.
Hazards Excessive consumption of stems can lead to colic and tenesmus (recurrent diarrhoea)
Other uses None known Importance to other species The flowers provide a source of nectar for pollinators during the summer months. It is grazed upon by rabbits, deer and cattle, and, as its common name suggests, is a particular favourite of pigs
Always stay safe when foraging. You need to be 100% sure of your identification, 100% sure that your foraged item is edible, and 100% sure that you are not allergic to it (it is good practice to always try a small amount of any new food you are consuming). If in doubt, leave it out!
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