Sow thistle flower stems can reach anything from 30cm (1ft) up to 2.1m (7ft) high, depending upon species and the growing conditions. Very interesting reading, giving some details of plant uses and quite a lot of folk-lore., 54. Thistles will resprout readily if cut down, so it’s best to dig the whole plant up by the root. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies), beetles. Steam from the warm tea was used to treat muscle stiffness and rheumatism. It is one Milk thistle is an annual, full-sun plant that germinates in late winter in our climate zone (Ag Zone 7b). SOW-THISTLE, COMMON---Synonyms---Hare's Thistle.Hare's Lettuce. Another notable asset of sow thistle is its high carotenoid content, 11 which may help reduce the risk of eye disease. Some authorities believe that populations of Clammy Sow-thistle (Sochus tenerrimus) found in Australia are actually one of these forms of Common Sow-thistle.Common Sow-thistle belongs to a group of mainly yellow-flowered daisies in the Tribe Lactuceae. It flowers and goes to seed from May – early June, after which the plants die. The main difference between the two is that the annual sow thistle has much smaller flowers (less than 2.5 cm across) than the perennial sow thistle. Butter or oil. In addition, pigs love it as well. Capsules - One capsule twice daily with plain water after meals. 1 tsp. Opium addiction: Sow thistle can help with those trying to break a dependence on opium. Use sow thistle to make a salad more flavorful or stir fry it to make its leaves and stems more tender. It has many common names including common sowthistle, sow thistle, smooth sow thistle, annual sow thistle, hare's colwort, hare's thistle, milky tassel, milk thistle. It looks like thistle, but is not, because its leaves are not hard at all. The binomial name for sow thistle is Sonchus oleraceus.Sonchus comes from Greek and means "hollow", a reference to its hollow stem.Oleraceus comes from Latin and means "kitchen vegetable" or "herb used in cooking". If allergic to plants in the daisy family like ragweed, chamomile or yarrow should avoid. Cultivated plant seeds must be clean and of a good quality, and seeding must ensure optimum plant density. You can use sow thistle leaves just as you would use dandelion leaves. The bull thistle plant was used by early humans as a warm medicinal tea. Chris Hope explains the medicinal benefits of the thistle, an abundant 'weed' with many uses. The root is edible, and according to one source, it tastes “like burdock root only better.”While burdock stalks are delicious, I really can’t stand burdock root, and I think it tastes like bitter dirt.Thus, I’m not excited about cooking up a thistle root. known as milk thistle, is widespread across the grain-growing regions of Queensland and northern New South Wales. Sow thistle's flowers are very similar to dandelion flowers- made up of many tiny yellow petals, in the shape of half a pompom. Common Name: Sow Thistle. Smooth Sow-thistle has pointed leaf auricles and Rough Sow-thistle has prickly leaves. The plant is self-fertile. Parts used Stem, leaves, gum, juice. Smooth Sowthistle Salsa The roots were also used as an aid to digestion, and to treat stomach cramps. ---Parts Used---Leaves, stems, milky juice.The Sow-Thistle is a well-known weed in every field and garden. Physical/Mechanical Control Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Sow thistle can be used as pasture for livestock. The lettuce mosaic disease occurs in the United States, especially California, and Europe, and probably worldwide. To make coffee from sow thistle roots roast the roots in a 400F oven until they turn dark brown. It is not frost tender. Getting acquainted with sow thistle Sow thistle - Sonchus oleraceus. Sow thistles are in the same plant family as dandelions, and they produce yellow flowers that resemble those of dandelions. Beef stock or water. Published studies suggest that sow thistle may possess health benefits that may work to your advantage, including: Flowering plant Photograph by: Fagg, M. Image credit to Australian National Botanic Gardens. Common Sow-thistle can differ in leaf shape and overall appearance. This is a nutritious plant that contains several minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and zinc) and vitamins ( A, B1, B2, B3, B6, & C). Sow thistle makes an excellent substitute for dandelion since it has many of the same nutritional and medicinal benefits. Common uses. Hoeing must be carried out as often as needed, so that sow-thistle plants do not reach the flowering stage. Smooth Sow Thistle (Sonchus oleraceus) is a species from the Asteraceae or Compositae family.Also known by a variety of common names including common sow thistle, sow thistle, annual sow thistle, hare's thistle, hare's lettuce, hare's colwort, milk thistle (not Silybum marianum) and swinies.It is a native biennial commonly found in Europe including the British Isles. It is in flower from July to October, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The dark brown the darker the resultant coffee. Sowthistle uses stored soil water during fallows and interferes with crop harvest, adding green matter to harvested grain. It is extremely rich in calcium and Vitamins A and C. In mediterranean cultures, sow … Steamed herb is used for sore throat and chronic gastroenteritis. Publication Author Hatfield. Common sow thistle is in the Compositae (Asteraceae) family. Cancer: Sow thistle is believed to have powerful cancer-fighting activity. For this recipe the young 2- to 4-inch leaves of common sow-thistle [Sonchus oleraceus] are best and when the leaves are not bitter. Uses Folkloric - Brownish gum formed by the evaporation of the common sow thistle, when taken internally in a dose of two to four grains, acts as a "powerful hydragogue cathartic" with strong effects on the liver, duodenum and colon. Also, rabbits seem to like to eat them, hence they are also called hare thistle. Title How to Enjoy your Weeds. The roots of sow thistle are also used in traditional medicine - nephritis, osteo-articular tuberculosis, and fever are treated with drugs based on them. Sow thistle. 12. flour. Avoid milk thistle if you are pregnant. Thistle Root. and soft thistle.. Its specific epithet oleraceus means "vegetable/herbal". Sow thistle is eaten throughout history. It is a perennial, growing from 1 to 3 feet high, with hollow thick, branched stems full of milky juice, and thin, oblong leaves, more or less cut into (pinnatifid) with irregular, prickly teeth on the margins. Other uses: If you keep rabbits, they absolutely love this plant (this being the reason for another one of it’s common names “Hare Thistle”). BUTTERED SOW-THISTLE. You can't get more edible than that! Sonchus oleraceus is a species of flowering plant in the dandelion tribe Cichorieae of the daisy family Asteraceae, native to Europe and Western Asia. Furthermore, sow thistle contains vitamin C (up to 779 milligrams) and essential fatty acids. The plant was commonly fed to lactating sow hogs because it was believed to aid in milk production (probably because of the milky sap produced). Ground nutmeg – pinch. Description: Sow thistles are an erect, herbaceous, taprooted annual that can grow to over 1m in height if the plant is damaged or cut it exudes a milky latex. Parts Used of Milk Thistle. GEORGE N. AGRIOS, in Plant Pathology (Fifth Edition), 2005 Lettuce Mosaic. It is an especially good dandelion alternative if you want a … The leaves were used to treat neuralgia, and the fresh flowers were chewed to cover the medicinal tastes. Its traditional use as an ingredient in spring dishes eaten for health and vitality is supported by its high content of vitamins A, B, C and K. Per 100g fresh weight of various sowthistles contain between 30–60mg of vitamin C; smooth sow thistle has been shown to contain up to 800mg of vitamin A. Sowthistle Recipes. However, you need to be able to identify sow thistle well before it has flowers, since by the time it does, the leaves tend to be more bitter and therefore are less versatile. The plant serves as an antidote for opium poisoning. Whole plant. Common names: Common sow thistle, sow thistle, annual sow thistle, milk thistle, milkweed, thalaak, colewort, hares lettuce, soft thistle. 1 or 2 handfuls sow-thistle leaves – young. The perennial sow thistle (Sonchus arvensis) is often confused with the annual sow thistle (Sonchus oleraceus). It is a handsome annual, a native of Southern Europe, occurring there in waste, stony, uncultivated places, but it grows more readily in England in cultivation. Recommended Dosage. Grind the browned roots in a coffee grinder and then use the results as you would regular coffee grounds to make a caffeine-free coffee.