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Prickly Sowthistle
Edible 
Autumn 
Spring 
Summer 
Winter
A very common plant and easy to recognise, the ‘prickles’ need to be cut off this plant to make it edible.
| Hedgerow Type | |
| Common Names | Prickly Sowthistle, Prickly Sowthistle, Spiney Sowthistle |
| Scientific Name | Sonchus asper |
| Season Start | Jan |
| Season End | Dec |
Leaves
Initially growing in a basal rosette and toothed with sharp spines until the flower stem appears, the leaves then are less deeply lobed but still spiny. Resembling Dandelion leaves with sharp pointed sides.
Flowers
Yellow and like small Dandelion flowers but many can grow from one stem, unlike Dandelions.
Seeds
Like a Dandelion ‘clock’ but finer.
Roots
A rather thin and woody tap root but they can still be roasted and eaten.
Habitat
Anywhere there is a bit of bare soil.
Possible Confusion
Perennial Sowthistle, pictured, is very similar to Prickly Sowthistle but with much taller stems and larger flowers.
Taste
The leaves have a lettuce like taste only not quite as bitter.
Frequency
Common
Collecting
This plant will often grow around trees and fence posts and along edges so are likely to have been visited by dogs, therefore caution should be taken as to where this plant is collected from.
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