Smooth Sow-Thistle

Latin Name:

Sonchus oleraceus
Manx Name:

Bainney-muc
Season:

June - August
Locations where this species is found:
Glen Maye

This tall thistle is very similar to the Prickly Sow-thistle (Sonchus asper), but with fewer prickles on its shiny leaves.

Smooth Sow-Thistle can still have prickles, which can make it difficult to distinguish from Sonchus asper, but it usually has very few prickles.

Like other sow thistles, Smooth Sow-Thistle is edible and its milky sap has been used as a chewing gum in New Zealand.

The Manx name for this plant is "Bainney-muc".
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