Spiny sowthistle

Names and Synonyms

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

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Sonchus oleraceus var. asper
• Sonchus oleraceus subsp. asper

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Sonchus asper is characterized by a highly adaptable distribution across a vast altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 4100 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range centered around 2550 m AMSL. It frequently colonizes anthropic areas (Área Antrópicica), demonstrating a strong ability to thrive in disturbed environments and human-modified landscapes. Furthermore, the species exhibits biological defense mechanisms, as indicated by the presence of specific defensive traits used to navigate its ecological interactions.

Defense :

yes

Elevational range max:

4100 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2550 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Genetics

The genetics of Sonchus asper are characterized by a distinct chromosomal plasticity that facilitates its adaptation to diverse environments. The species exhibits varying ploidy levels, most notably evidenced by a chromosome number of 18 in its diploid state and 36 in its tetraploid state. This variation in chromosome number suggests a complex evolutionary history involving polyploidy, which often contributes to increased genetic vigor, broader ecological tolerance, and enhanced phenotypic diversity within the species. Such chromosomal shifts are critical to the plant's ability to navigate different selective pressures and play a fundamental role in its genomic architecture and reproductive strategies.

Chromosome number :

18, 36

Life history

The life history of Sonchus asper is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning it completes its entire developmental process from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, the plant survives unfavorable periods primarily through the production of seeds, which remain dormant until conditions are optimal for growth. Its growth habit is strictly deciduous, shedding its foliage as it reaches the end of its seasonal cycle. This combination of an annual lifecycle and a therophyte life form allows the species to rapidly colonize disturbed habitats and respond efficiently to seasonal environmental shifts.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Sonchus asper is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. This self-supporting plant is primarily terrestrial in its habitat, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of stature, it exhibits significant variation in plant height, ranging from a minimum of 0.07 m to a maximum of 2 m, with an average height of approximately 0.458 m. As a non-climbing, self-supporting species, it maintains an upright structure suitable for its terrestrial environment.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

0.458333333333333 m

Plant height min:

0.07 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Sonchus asper is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and environmental adaptations. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy and does not function as a nitrogen fixer. Its foliage is organized in an alternate leaf arrangement, featuring pinnatifid leaf forms that vary significantly in dimensions. Specifically, the leaf length ranges from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 25 cm, while the leaf width fluctuates between 2 cm and 8 cm, resulting in a mean leaf width of 4.5 cm. The average leaf size is recorded at 54.17333 cm², and the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 249.74 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf mass per area and resource acquisition efficiency.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf arrangement :

alternate

Leaf form :

pinnatifid

Leaf length max:

25 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf size mean:

54.17333 cm²

Leaf width max:

8 cm

Leaf width mean:

4.5 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

249.74 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Sonchus asper is characterized by a sexual process through bisexual flowers, with asexual reproduction being absent. The plant features a raceme inflorescence with yellow flowers that typically range in width from 2 cm to 2.5 cm. The flowering period is extensive, beginning in June and continuing through December. Pollination is driven by biotic mechanisms, specifically through an insect syndrome with bees serving as key pollinators. Following fertilization, which can occur via self-fertilization, the plant produces dry, indehiscent achene fruits. These fruits are small, with a mean length of 0.3 cm (ranging from 0.025 cm to 0.3 cm) and a mean width of 0.055 cm. Each fruit is highly prolific, containing more than 1000 seeds. The seeds themselves are minute, characterized by a mean length of 2.7 mm and a mean width of 1.3 mm, with a mean volume of 1.6 mm³. The seed mass is very low, averaging approximately 0.000278625 g (ranging from 0.00017 g to 0.000414 g). For dispersal, the plant employs an anemochorous syndrome, utilizing wind to spread its numerous lightweight seeds.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flower colour :

yellow

Flower width max:

2.5 cm

Flower width min:

2 cm

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Dec

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

0.3 cm

Fruit length min:

0.025 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Fruit width mean:

0.055 cm

Inflorescence :

raceme

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed length mean:

2.7 mm

Seed mass max:

0.000414 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000278625 g

Seed mass min:

0.00017 g

Seed volume max:

1.6 mm³

Seed width mean:

1.3 mm

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

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.

CATECHIN

1. Current medicinal chemistry

Caryophyllenyl alcohol

1. Current medicinal chemistry

Flavonoids

1. Current medicinal chemistry

Phytol

1. Current medicinal chemistry

RUTIN

1. Current medicinal chemistry

Saponins

1. Current medicinal chemistry

Tannins

1. Current medicinal chemistry

quercetin

1. Current medicinal chemistry

Conditions

Sonchus asper has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include asthma, blood pressure, heart rate, hypertension.

Asthma

1. Current medicinal chemistry

Blood pressure

1. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica

Heart rate

1. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica

Hypertension

1. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica

Preparations

Sonchus asper has 4 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Aqueous-methanolic extract, aerial parts, chloroform fraction, ethyl acetate fraction.

Aqueous-methanolic extract

1. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica

Aerial parts

1. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica

Chloroform fraction

1. Current medicinal chemistry

Ethyl acetate fraction

1. Current medicinal chemistry