Sonchus oleraceus
| Sonchus oleraceus | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Life Cycle: | Biennial |
| Height: | 3' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Sonchus oleraceus (common name: sow thistle)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in situ. This species is a common garden weed and should not need any encouragement.
Cultivation: Succeeds in most soils in a sunny position.
This plant has been cultivated for its edible leaves by the Maoris of New Zealand[1].
The plant is a good companion for onions, tomatoes, corn as well as the cucumber and squash family[2].
Range: Europe, including Britain, south and east from Scandanavia to N. Africa, N. and W. Asia.
Habitat: Waysides, waste and cultivated ground[3]. A common weed, avoiding acid soils and shady positions[4].
Edibility: Young leaves - raw or cooked[5][6][7][8][9]. This species has the nicest tasting leaves of the genus[1], they usually have a mild agreeable flavour[10] especially in the spring[K]. They can be added to salads, cooked like spinach or used in soups etc[11]. The leaves contain about 30 - 40mg of vitamin C per 100g[12], 1.2% protein, 0.3% fat, 2.4% carbohydrate, 1.2% ash[13]. A zero moisture analysis is also available[14]. It might be best, though it is not essential, to remove the marginal prickles[7].
Stems - cooked like asparagus or rhubarb[15]. They are best if the outer skin is removed first[11].
Young root - cooked[15]. They are woody and not very acceptable[16].
The milky sap has been used as a chewing gum by the Maoris of New Zealand[11].
Medicinal: The plant is emmenagogue and hepatic[17][18]. An infusion has been used to bring on a tardy menstruation and to treat diarrhoea[18].
The latex in the sap is used in the treatment of warts[14]. It is also said to have anticancer activity[14].
The stem juice is a powerful hydrogogue and cathartic, it should be used with great caution since it can cause colic and tenesmus[14]. The gum has been used as a cure for the opium habit[18].
The leaves are applied as a poultice to inflammatory swellings[6].
An infusion of the leaves and roots is febrifuge and tonic[19].
Usage: The latex in the stem contains 0.14% rubber, but this is much too low for commercial exploitation[14].
Pollinators: Bees, flies
Habit: Biennial
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Seed Ripens: Mid Summer-Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Brooker, Stanley. Economic Native Plants of New Zealand. Oxford University Press, 1991.
- ↑ Hylton, Josie and William Holtom. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press, 1979.
- ↑ Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ Triska, Jan. Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn, 1975.
- ↑ Hatfield, Audrey. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd, 1974.
- ↑ Les Ecologistes de l'Euzière. Les Salades Sauvages. 1994.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Crowe, Andrew. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton, 1990.
- ↑ Read, Bernard. Famine Foods Listed in the Chiu Huang Pen Ts'ao. Taipei Southern Materials Centre, 1977.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Loewenfeld, Claire and Philippa Back. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles.
- ↑ Cribb, Alan and Joan Cribb. Wild Food in Australia. Fontana, 1976.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
- ↑ Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.