Pronounced (approximate): SON-kus ar-VEN-sis
Large yellow heads are composed entirely of strap-shaped florets. Toothed or lobed leaves clasp the upright stem.
Perennial Sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis): field photograph. Tap the photo to open the gallery.
Family Asteraceae
Life cycle Perennial
Blooms July – October
Height 2 to 4 feet
Habitat part shade, sun; moist, disturbed soil; along shores, roadsides, ditches, fields
Common names: Perennial Sowthistle · Field Sowthistle
Bloom timing varies with latitude, weather and local conditions.
Explore reported observations. Sightings are not a complete range map.
part shade, sun; moist, disturbed soil; along shores, roadsides, ditches, fields. Flowering season: July – October.
Spiny Sowthistle is annual and generally has smaller heads and more sharply prickly leaves. This entry does not assign a subspecies.
Large yellow heads are composed entirely of strap-shaped florets.
Toothed or lobed leaves clasp the upright stem.
Flower heads mature into fluffy white seed heads. Pair close views with a photograph of the whole plant.
18 field photographs. Select a photograph to enlarge it; use Load more photos to see the rest.
Introduced in North America; native to Eurasia.
Reported U.S. distribution
AK, CA, CO, CT, DE, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
Includes native and introduced state records where listed; a state record does not imply occurrence in every county.
Observation maps show submitted records, not every place the plant occurs. Follow local access rules when visiting a site.
Practice recognizing Perennial Sowthistle in the flower quiz, or compare it with other plants in the guide.
Field photographs: Where’s Wildlife.