Spiny sowthistle
Sonchus asper · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (12 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Spiny sowthistle, scientifically known as Sonchus asper, is a resilient perennial herb common across the Mediterranean. Characterized by its prickly, serrated leaves and bright yellow composite flowers, this plant has been utilized in traditional medicine for centuries to treat inflammation, digestive issues, and various skin ailments through its bioactive compounds.
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native range
- Europe
- Parts used
- Not available
- Common names
- Prickly Annual Sow-Thistle · Prickly Sow-Thistle · 9 more
- Scientific synonyms
- Sonchus Oleraceus Var. Asper · Sonchus Oleraceus Subsp. Asper
Names
Common Names
- prickly annual sow-thistle
- prickly sow-thistle
- rough sow-thistle
- spiny annual sow-thistle
- spiny sow-thistle
- spiny-leaved sow-thistle
- prickly sow thistle
- rough milk thistle
- rough sow thistle
- spiny sow thistle
- spiny-leaf sow thistle
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Llatazín
- Cardo lechera
- Lechugos
- Cardinchi
- Lincharina
- Cardinche
- Cardimuelle
- Lincherines
- Cardo lincherín
- Lechazines
- Latazín
- Lincherina
- Cardo lecherín
- Llataim
- Lencherina
- Cerrayas
- Llatazin
- Cardo lincherin
- Latazin
- Cardo lecherin
- diente de león
- lechuguilla
- muelle
- cardo
- lecherina
- lechiterna
- azapuercos
- cardeña
- cardincha
- cardo lechar
- cardo lechero
- cardo meleño
- cerraja
- cerrajón
- lechariega
- lechazino
- lecherines
- cardoncha
- cerrajas
- lechacino
- lecherín
German:
- Raue Gänsedistel
- Rauhe Gänsedistel
- raue Gänsedistel
- Dornige Gänsedistel
- Rauhe Gänsedistel
- Raue Gaensedistel
French:
- laiteron épineux
- Laiteron piquant
- laiteron piquant
- laiteron rude
- laiteron âpre
- laiteron épineux
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Sonchus asperSynonyms
- Sonchus oleraceus var. asper
- Sonchus oleraceus subsp. asper
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asterales, it is classified under the family Asteraceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Sonchus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Sonchus | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the northern reaches of the European continent. It can be found growing in the coastal and inland regions of Denmark. Its presence extends further north to include the territories of Finland and Iceland. Additionally, the species is documented within the archipelago of the Førøyar. Finally, the geographical range of this medicinal plant encompasses Great Britain.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Føroyar | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Iceland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
Chemicals
Sonchus asper has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CATECHIN, Caryophyllenyl alcohol, Flavonoids, Phytol, RUTIN.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| CATECHIN | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Caryophyllenyl alcohol | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flavonoids | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Phytol | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| RUTIN | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Saponins | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tannins | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
CATECHIN
- Current medicinal chemistry
Caryophyllenyl alcohol
- Current medicinal chemistry
Flavonoids
- Current medicinal chemistry
Phytol
- Current medicinal chemistry
RUTIN
- Current medicinal chemistry
Saponins
- Current medicinal chemistry
Tannins
- Current medicinal chemistry
quercetin
- Current medicinal chemistry
Medicinal Uses
Sonchus asper has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include asthma, blood pressure, heart rate, hypertension.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| asthma | Current medicinal chemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| blood pressure | Acta poloniae pharmaceutica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| heart rate | Acta poloniae pharmaceutica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | Acta poloniae pharmaceutica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Aqueous-methanolic extract | Acta poloniae pharmaceutica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aerial parts | Acta poloniae pharmaceutica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chloroform fraction | Current medicinal chemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ethyl acetate fraction | Current medicinal chemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |