Perennial Sowthistle
Weeds
field sow thistle, creeping sow thistle, milk thistle, corn sow-thistle, swine-thistle, tree sow-thistle, dindle
Sonchus arvensis
Perennial sowthistle is common in roadside and low maintenance turf and somewhat less common in landscapes. It prefers slightly alkaline or neutral soils, fine-textured, rich soils. Perennial sowthistle will not thrive on coarse sandy soils. The leaf shape resembles dandelion or chicory but has spines along the margin of the leaf. Perennial sowthistle spreads by rhizomes (tell-tale sign of perennial v. annual). The sparse leaves on the flower stalks are often entire (no lobes). The yellow flowers of sowthistle are similar to dandelion but are not solitary, hollow, or on a leafless stalk.