Perennial Sow Thistle | Nebraska Invasive Species Council

Credit: © Kate Senatskaya, some rights reserved (CC-BY)

General Information

Species Name: Sonchus arvensis

Also Known As: spiny sowthistle, perennial sow thistle

Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower)

Growth Form: Forb

Life Span: Annual

Flowering Dates: May-October

Origin: Eurasia

Noxious: No

Why Is It Invasive?

Perennial sowthistle grows in cultivated areas and reduces crop yield, increasing cultivation and management costs.

What Does It Look Like?

General Characteristics

Perennial sowthistle can grow 2-5 feet tall and resembles a dandelion. It produces a while, milky sap when the plant is injured.

Flowers

Bright yellow, between 1-2 inches wide. Flowers open after sunrise and close around noon. The base of the flowers have short, sticky hairs and bristly.

Leaves

Leaves are alternately arranged and are lobed with prickly edges. Leaves become smaller in size as they move up the stem.

Stems

Stems are hollow and can reach up to 6 feet tall. Branching will occur further up the stem. Stems contain a milky juice.

Seeds

Small and ridged

Photos

Yellow perennial sowthistle grow tall in a lush green field surrounded by farmland.

Credit: Theodore Webster, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org

Bright yellow flowering perennial sowthistle with pointed petals, two green buds, against a clear blue sky.

Credit: Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org

Spiky green perennial sowthistle leaves with serrated edges, displayed against blue and red background.

Credit: Bruce Ackley, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org

Green perennial sowthistle plant with jagged leaves in a pot on a blue fabric background.

Credit: Bruce Ackley, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org

Yellow flowering perennial sowthistle with slender stems amidst green foliage.

Credit: John Cardina, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org

Two brown seeds on a textured blue surface, with a small ruler visible at the bottom edge.

Credit: Bruce Ackley, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org

Yellow flowering perennial sowthistle with spiky petals on green stems against a grassy background.

Credit: Caleb Slemmons, National Ecological Observatory Network, Bugwood.org

Cornfield with flowering perennial sowthistle and green foliage growing among the stalks.

Credit: Ohio State Weed Lab , The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org

Where Does It Grow?

Perennial sowthistle can be found in cultivated fields, pastures, gardens, disturbed sites, and roadsides. It is not common in sandy soils. It is widespread to throughout the United States.

How Does It Spread?

Perennial sowthistle spreads through seeds which can be spread through natural vectors or human vectors including clinging to clothing or pet fur. It also spreads via creeping roots.

How Do I Control It?

Mechanical

Tilling and mowing can both help to control populations. The optimal time to treat is during the leaf rosette stage.

Please contact your county weed control authority to determine appropriate removal methods.

Cultural

Maintain a healthy plant population and minimize disturbance to help prevent perennial sowthistle establishment.

Help prevent seed dispersal after outdoor activity in a few simple steps:

REMOVE plants, animals and mud from boots, gear, pets and vehicles.
CLEAN your gear before entering and leaving the recreation site.
STAY on designated roads and trails.
PLANT non-invasive species.

PlayCleanGo: Stop Invasive Species in Your Tracks

Herbicide

Please refer to the 2026 Guide for Weed, Disease and Insect Management in Nebraska and/or contact your county weed control authority.

References and More Information

Colorado Department of Agriculture

Michigan State University Department of Plan, Soil, and Microbial Sciences

Nebraska County Designated Noxious Weeds

Nebraska Weed Control Association

PlayCleanGo

Stubbendieck, J., Coffin, M., & Dunn, C. (2019). Weeds of the Great Plains. Nebraska Department of Agriculture.

University of Minnesota Extension

Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board