Common Name: Field Milk Thistle

General Information

Sonchus arvensis is an erect, perennial plant producing a cluster of usually branched stems from a far-creeping, rhizomatous rootstock; the plant can grow 30 - 150cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. It is occasionally cultivated for its edible leaves, for example by the Maoris of New Zealand, whilst in Indonesia there are improved varieties that have been selected for their edible leaves[, ].
Sonchus arvensis has become a widespread weed of cultivated land, orchards and pastures throughout much of the temperate zone and also in subtropical areas with moist climates. Spreading initially by seed, it produces new shoots from a far-ranging root system, with gorizontal roots that can be up to 150cm long[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Europe, excluding Portugal, through northern Asia to the Russian Far East

Habitat

Arable and waste land, ditches and on the drift line of salt and brackish margins, avoiding acid soils[, , ]. A persistent weed of cultivation[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera, Beetles, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant succeeds on most types of soil at a wide range of pHs, but may prefer rather moist mineral soils, preferably clay and loam soils rich in humus, and humus soils. It does not thrive well on coarse, dry soils[].
A good companion for onions, tomatoes, corn as well as the cucumber and squash family[].

Edible Uses

Young leaves - raw or cooked[, , , ]. A slightly bitter taste, they can be added to salads or cooked like spinach[, ]. The leaves are rich in mineral salts and vitamin C[], they contain about 47mg of vitamin C per 100g and 2% protein (dry weight)[]. It might be best, though it is not necessary, to remove the marginal prickles[].

Stems - cooked like asparagus or rhubarb[].

Young root - cooked[].

The roasted root is used as a coffee substitute[, ].

Medicinal

A tea made from the leaves is said to calm the nerves[].
Applied externally, the leaves are used as a poultice and are said to have anti-inflammatory activity[, ]. An infusion of the leaves has been used in the treatment of caked breasts[].

A tea made from the roots is used in the treatment of asthma, coughs and other chest complaints[].

Other Uses

The plant is said to have insecticidal properties[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ. A common garden weed, this species should not normally need any assistance.