Perennial Sowthistle

Perennial Sowthistle


Sonchus arvensis

List C - Control recommended


General

  • Family: Sunflower (Asteraceae)
  • Introduced from Europe

Habitat

  • Perennial forb
  • Found in drainages, meadows, rights-of way, disturbed sites


Plant


Vegetation

  • Leaves are alternate 
  • Clasp the stem
  • Leaves vary in size, get smaller the higher up on the stem
  • Some leaves may be deeply lobed and have prickly margins. 
  • Plants up to 5 feet tall
  • Contains milky sap

Roots

  • Taproot with horizontal rhizomes

Flower

  • 1-1½  inches wide
  • Bracts may have glands
  • Color: Yellow
  • Season: June to September

Reproduction

  • Seed


Control


Biological

  • None

Chemical

  • info sheet coming soon


Cultural

  • Prevention
  • Removal - make sure the entire root is removed. Must be repeated as new plants germinate


Mechanical

  • Burning - N/A
  • Grazing - N/A
  • Mowing - Prior to seed set.  Mow every three to four weeks. Works best when combined with fall herbicide treatments


Use all chemicals according to the manufacturer's label. No specific recommendation or endorsement is made or implied by listing methods or products.

 Treatment Timetable


JanFebMarAprMayJuneJulyAugSeptOctNovDec
Control











Removal











Herbicide











Growth











Rosettes











Vegetative











Flowering











Seed