Common Name: Shore Sow Thistle

General Information

Sonchus kirkii is an erect biennial to perennial plant growing from a taproot. The stem is either unbranched or has branches above; the plant usually growing 15 - 60cm tall, occasionally to 100cm[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

New Zealand - North, South, Three Kings, Stewart and Chatham Islands..

Habitat

Wet coastal cliffs and talus, rarely on sand or salt meadow[]. A coastal plant, growing on cliff faces in or around damp seepages, preferring base-rich rocks. Declining in the wild due to competition from introduced species.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Biennial/Perennial
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most soils in a sunny position.

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but it would probably succeed from an outdoor sowing in mid spring in situ. Only just cover the seed.
If you only have a small quantity of seed then it would be safer to sow this in a cold frame in the winter. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer.
Division in spring.