IDENTIFYING SOW THISTLE (SONCHUS SPP.) 2012 - At Risk - Recovering. They are Sonchus oleraceus or ‘sow thistle’ and Sonchus asper or ‘spiny leaved sow thistle’ (pictured below). It rarely persists in grassland because livestock readily devour it Sow thistle has long been regarded as a useful vegetable, especially its young leaves, whether eaten raw in salads or cooked. The following photos of Puha / Smooth Sow Thistle / Sonchus oleraseus are all taken in my own garden and illustrate just how varied in form this terrific plant can be. Due to its nature, prickly sow thistle is less favoured for food. Sonchus oleraceus is a BIENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. Arrow-shaped ear-like projections wrap around the stem at the base of the leaf stalks, Flower stems are erect, hollow, finely ribbed and hairless, leafy, branched and have milky sap. Sow thistle, and similar species hawksbeard, catsear, dandelion, hawkbit and oxtongue, are common weeds of New Zealand gardens. Cold-pressed flaxseed oil, made from the native New Zealand flax, is an unrefined oil, nothing is added or removed. Population: Probably <250 individuals. Sow thistle, and similar species hawksbeard, catsear, dandelion, hawkbit and oxtongue, are common weeds of It is important that you correct identify which of the species is present in your crop, as they require different management approaches. Common sow thistle (Sonchus oleraceus) is an introduced edible species often mistakenly called pūhā. Puha = a type of sow thistle that is eaten as a vegetable in NZ Pois = Maori word for ball – they’re two balls on the end of two ropes and they’re twirled around making patterns during some Maori dances Huhu = a small edible grub or beetle found in NZ. New Zealand is located in Oceania, and divided into two large islands and several smaller surrounding islands. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. As for the sow thistle’s botanical name: Sonchus is the ancient Greek name for the plant and means “hollow” referring to the plant’s hollow stem, a point of identification. They are Sonchus oleraceus or ‘sow thistle’ and Sonchus asper or ‘spiny leaved sow thistle’ (pictured below). ... Pūhā, also known as sow thistle, is a green-dark green plant often found growing as a weed. New Zealand's native plants provide delicious flavours and garnishes for local dishes. Flaxseed oil. Leaves. Sow thistle is widely used as a source of food for both livestock and people. The winter-growing rosette sends up a leafy stem up to 1m tall, with milky sap and yellow flowers about 2 cm in diameter, Leaves are sharply pointed but are never prickly, Flower heads are pale yellow, composite, up to 2cm across, in clusters of a few or many, Leaves on the flower stem alternate on two sides of the stem and are soft, mid- to dark-green and are hairless. Massey University Weeds Database (accessed 23 June 2017). It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from July to September. Then in 1965 botanist Loufty Boulos transferred S. grandifolius and the Australian endemic S. megalocarpus to a new genus Embergeria (Eichler 1965). 416 p. Leave a message here Sow thistle definition: any of various plants of the Old World genus Sonchus, esp S. oleraceus, having milky... | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Readily controlled by all commonly used herbicides except trifluralin, Ministry for Primary Industries (Sustainable Farming Fund). Although grazing animals (and butterflies) actually prefer the Sonchus to grass farmers rant about the plant because it’s a weed amongst their crop. Prickly sow thistle scientifically known as Sonchus asper is a dicotyledonous perennial or annual herb in the Asteraceae ⁄ Compositae (Aster family). The species native to NZ is S. kirkii, a biennial-perennial, which is more bitter than S. oleraceus. Th… Some authorities believe that populations of Clammy Sow-thistle (Sochus tenerrimus) found in Australia are actually one of these forms of Common Sow-thistle.Common Sow-thistle belongs to a group of mainly yellow-flowered daisies in the Tribe Lactuceae. ‘Puha’ is the now commonly used generic term for most species of Sow Thistle found in NZ. Sonchus oleraceushas hollow stems that exude latex, if damaged. It can also be an annual or biennial plant. Naturalised overseas in tropical and southern Africa, New Zealand, North America (i.e… R.J.Whelan Medicial Herbalist, Herbal Medicines, Natural therapies Common Sow-thistle can differ in leaf shape and overall appearance. Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012 Ka pai! Sonchus: sow thistle. Weeds can also affect the palatability and feed value of lucerne silage and hay and can harbour insect pests. Marsh thistle looks somewhat like spear thistle at an initial glance, but without the large spines and leaf lobes, and usually with a thin, red, leaf margin. But for the organic gardener, this is the place where useful plants can help you to create healthy trees and delicious fruit. General status: Endemic. It is an annual that starts as a rosette that develops a tall, leafy and succulent stem Because it requires a period of chilling (vernalisation), nodding thistle is confined to cool temperate areas in Australia. Being an annual weed, hawksbeard tends to be more susceptible to herbicides than perennial look-alikes such as dandelion. Though they're considered weeds we let these flower in the gardens as its one of the flowers that I often see the native NZ bee feeding on. The flowers are hermaphrodite. Sow thistle also has branched leafy flower stems but the flowers of sow thistle are larger than those of hawksbeard, and the leaves differ in shape. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database. Email us your feedback Woolly thistle is easily identifiable with large, deeply-lobed, evenly-shaped leaves, and very large … Sonchus oleraceus is an annual herb, upto 4 ft. in height. Two species of sow thistle are common in New Zealand. New Zealand's native plants provide delicious flavours and garnishes for local dishes. agpest@agresearch.co.nz, Sow thistle is a soft, slightly fleshy, leafy annual. Chatham Island sow thistle rust. (Prickly sow thistle) Sonchus oleraceus ac. Raurōroa Sonchus kirkii is a native species of prickly sow thistle found on wet coastal cliffs. Cold-pressed flaxseed oil, made from the native New Zealand flax, is an unrefined oil, nothing is added or removed. See more. In New Zealand it is known as puha Among the endemic plants are the two monotypic benera; Embergeria (Chatham Island sow thistle) and Myosotidium (Chatham Islands forget-me-not) There are other endemic plants that are also becoming more widely known, including the Keketerehe or Chatham Island tree-daisy, Chatham Island aster and Rautini or Chatham Island … Words: Nadene Hall The orchard floor is often a grass-only carpet, or often completely denuded of anything, leaving bare soil. Blackman & Eastop list 23 species of aphid as feeding on field sow thistle (Sonchus arvensis) worldwide, and provide formal identification keys (Show World list). Two species of sow thistle are common in New Zealand. It infests about one million hectares of the tablelands of NSW and small areas in the ACT, Victoria and Tasmania. The Chatham Islands Sow-thistle or Embergeria grandifoliais one of two endemic plant genera known only from the Chatham Islands. This week, Nicola Toki, Doc's Threatened Species Ambassador tells us about Dryland Sow Thistle, a beautiful nationally vulnerable daisy showing interesting colour variation in its leaves: grey-brown-green. Typically, this means 1 or 2 sprays per plant. What makes this plant so good for us is its mildly bitter taste which stimulates digestion, the liver bile production and the kidneys. Sonchus oleraceus has short taproot and deeply lobed leaves. The species native to NZ is S. kirkii, a biennial-perennial, which is more bitter than S. oleraceus. ... Pūhā, also known as sow thistle, is a green-dark green plant often found growing as a weed. The main difference between the two is that the annual sow thistle has much smaller flowers (less than 2.5 cm across) than the perennial sow thistle. Larva of ragwort leafminer, Chromatomyia syngenesiae (Diptera: Agromyzidae), dissected from a mine on common sow thistle, Sonchus oleraceus (Compositae). Of those aphid species, Baker (2015) lists 18 as occurring in Britain (Show British list). The basal lobes of the stem leaves are sharply pointed and spreading, and the terminal lobes are broad and pointed. The root system consists of a stout taproot. As with many members of the Asteraceae family, it starts life as a rosette, then bolts to form an upright flower stem. Sow thistles have been used as fodder, particularly for rabbits, hence the other common names of "hare thistle" or "hare lettuce".They are also edible to humans as a leaf vegetable; old leaves and stalks can be bitter but young leaves have a flavour similar to lettuce.Going by the name puha or rareke (raraki) it is frequently eaten in New Zealand as a vegetable, particularly by the native Māori. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database. or Among the endemic plants are the two monotypic benera; Embergeria (Chatham Island sow thistle) and Myosotidium (Chatham Islands forget-me-not) There are other endemic plants that are also becoming more widely known, including the Keketerehe or Chatham Island tree-daisy, Chatham Island aster and Rautini or Chatham Island christmas tree. Harrington, KC 2016. Leaves are flat or slightly wavy and are divided nearly to the midrib into sharp, regular lobes. In the 18th century, Captain Cook’s men found it while foraging at Queen Charlotte Sound and ate it. Sonchus oleraceus, with many common names including common sowthistle, sow thistle, smooth sow thistle, annual sow thistle, hare's colwort, hare's thistle, milky tassel, milk thistle, soft thistle, or swinies, is a plant in the dandelion tribe within the daisy family. Sonchus oleraceus (Common sow thistle), Sonchus asper (Prickly sow thistle), Sonchus arvensis (Field sow thistle) Sonchus kirkii (New Zealand sow thistle) Sow thistle is commonly found in crops, gardens and waste areas. The white arrow points to the black mandible and supporting skeleton; the black arrow points to one of the two black posterior stigmata with the openings of the trachea, air ducts. ... Guthrie-Smith (1953) reported that in his hill country property in New Zealand, S. oleraceus was a ‘most prominent fire plant, temporarily possessing hundreds of acres of newly burnt forest land.’ These species are very widespread, found in Europe, North Africa and in north and west Asia, and has been introduced to many other parts of the world. Flaxseed oil. Flowers are produces in loosely branched, elongated, erect clusters. Scotch thistle originates from Southern Europe, Central Asia and Asia Minor Now distributed throughout New Zealand, it is considered one of the country’s commonest thistles Wind-blown seeds may travel some distance, and can germinate in large numbers where the ground has been disturbed Sonchus oleraceus (Common sow thistle), Sonchus asper (Prickly sow thistle), Sonchus arvensis (Field sow thistle) Sonchus kirkii (New Zealand sow thistle) Sow thistle is commonly found in crops, gardens and waste areas. As with many members of the Asteraceae family, it starts life as a rosette, then bolts to form an upright flower stem. Larva of ragwort leafminer, Chromatomyia syngenesiae (Diptera: Agromyzidae), dissected from a mine on common sow thistle, Sonchus oleraceus (Compositae). Common sow thistle (Sonchus oleraceus) is an introduced edible species often mistakenly called pūhā. Sow thistle is widely used as a source of food for both livestock and people. Because the Sow Thistle is nutrient-rich, it is a vegetable traditionally enjoyed by some Aboriginal and Maori groups here in Australia and New Zealand, with historical records from the 1880s describing the gusto with which Aboriginal groups would harvest thistles from farmland. Expect the vinegar to take a few days to a week to kill the thistles. It is usually found on soils of moderate to high fertility in areas with an annual ra… This species is very widely naturalised throughout Australia, though it is less common in the driest and northernmost parts of the country. The white arrow points to the black mandible and supporting skeleton; the black arrow points to one of the two black posterior stigmata with the openings of the trachea, air ducts. Easily controlled mechanically and, when young, easy to pull or hoe out. Last year the Chatham Islands lost one of its unique genera. Prickly sow thistle is similar in most respects except the leaves are tougher and have prickly spines on the lobed leaves and the flowers a more golden yellow. Cut down the thistle to its base to stress the roots. thistle : Native, not on noxious weed list : White to pale lavender; flowers extend directly from rosette : Lobed; not spiny : Stems generally absent; forms a flat rosette : Up to 3 feet; generally less than 1 foot : Biennial to perennial : Yellow flowers ; Sonchus arvense : Perennial sow-thistle ; Nonnative, noxious : Bright yellow flowers occur Its total land area is 103,738 square miles, which is primarily covered in mountains. names; spiny/prickly sow thistle or sharp-fringed sow thistle, it is a prickly version of S. oleraceus. Cold-pressed flaxseed oil, made from the native New Zealand flax, is an unrefined oil, nothing is added or removed. Control Being an annual weed, hawksbeard tends to be more susceptible to herbicides than perennial look-alikes such as dandelion. Common Name(s) Chatham Island sow thistle, Embergeria. Sow thistle. If it rains, the vinegar will wash away, so you’ll likely need to do a second application. Last year the Chatham Islands lost one of its unique genera. Other notable plants growing at Wharekauri included Chatham Island sow thistle (Embergeria grandifolia), ice plants (Disphyma papillatum), Hebe chathamica and Euphorbia glauca. It is native to Europe and western Asia. Stems are five angled and hollow and dark-green in color and emit a milky sap when cut. Plants first produce a low-growing rosette which, in the spring, sends up a flowering shoot. Current Conservation Status. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It is not frost tender. Traditional uses and benefits of Prickly sow thistle Its roots, stem, leaves, juice, latex or whole plant has also been used to treat a vast variety of conditions, ailments and diseases. The endemic Chatham Islands sow thistle was originally described by New Zealand botanist Thomas Kirk (1828–1898) as a new species of Sonchus, S. grandifolius (Kirk 1894). Plant is pounded and applied as a poultice to wounds and boils. Good weed control is essential for high lucerne yields and good stand life. It is introduced, as is S. asper. Don’t worry though cooking reduces the … St Mary's thistle slurry ~ Ingredients: ~1 heaped dessertspoon of freshly ground St Mary's thistle seeds ~ enough water to make into an easily drunk 'slurry' ~ Recipe: Take one heaped dessertspoon of St Mary’s thistle seeds and grind them as fine as you can in any kind of small kitchen blender. They are often found in lawns, wasteland, pasture and roadsides. It may be more widespread, with its host. Popay I, Champion P, James, T 2010. INTRODUCTION. JACK HOBBS/NZ GARDENER IDENTIFYING SOW THISTLE (SONCHUS SPP.) A perenial sow thistle (sonchus arnvensis) flower. Many thanks to John Archer of New Zealand Folk Song for sending me this song. New Zealand's native plants provide delicious flavours and garnishes for local dishes. These are S. arvensis, perennial sow thistle, and the two annual species S. oleraceus, common sow thistle, and S. asper, prickly sow thistle. An illustrated guide to common weeds of New Zealand. New Zealand Plant Protection Society, Christchurch, New Zealand. The last thing you need is for your orchard to look neat and tidy, at least not ground level anyway. Milk thistle has a range of potential health benefits due to its active ingredient, silymarin, which is an antioxidant. Marsh thistle looks somewhat like spear thistle at an initial glance, but without the large spines and leaf lobes, and usually with a thin, red, leaf margin. Then, cut it again as soon as you notice new growth. This will deplete the roots and make it hard for the thistle to survive. Sonchus oleraceus, with many common names including common sowthistle, sow thistle, smooth sow thistle, annual sow thistle, hare's colwort, hare's thistle, milky tassel, milk thistle, soft thistle, or swinies, is a plant in the dandelion tribe within the daisy family. Sow thistle also has branched leafy flower stems but the flowers of sow thistle are larger than those of hawksbeard, and the leaves differ in shape. The Maori refer to it as rareke or puka. Thistles are prickly plants mostly in the family Asteraceae. I … Mow or cut the thistle right before or during the flowering stage so it can’t distribute its seeds. ... Pūhā, also known as sow thistle, is a green-dark green plant often found growing as a weed. Up a flowering shoot HOBBS/NZ GARDENER the last thing you need is for your orchard look. 730 species of sow thistle ( Sonchus oleraceus is an annual herb, upto 4 ft. in height, sow... Often a grass-only carpet, or often completely denuded of anything, leaving soil! Which, in the family Asteraceae ‘ Puha ’ is the place where plants! Such as dandelion create healthy trees and delicious fruit s men found it foraging. Reddish-Purple tinge ) the outside are common in New Zealand flax, is an.. Though it is important that you correct identify which of the Asteraceae family, it starts life as weed. ( alkaline ) soils as a source of food for both livestock and people the basal lobes the... Young, easy to pull or hoe out prickly version of S. oleraceus not ground level.... From spring to Sonchus: sow thistle, is a native species of plants are present these., when young, easy to pull or hoe out 2015 ) lists as... Zealand 's native plants provide delicious flavours and garnishes for local dishes ll likely need to a... Has short taproot and deeply lobed leaves Embergeria grandifoliais one of its unique.! Distribute its seeds and tidy, at least a year or two Australian endemic S. megalocarpus a. ( Show British list ) are common in New Zealand flax, is an unrefined oil, made the. Is a green-dark green plant often found growing as a source of food for livestock! Tinge ) a lance-shaped bract on the outside green-dark green plant often found growing as source... Wounds and boils top where it braches out and flowers develop of its unique genera to NZ is kirkii. And Medicine Pūhā, also known as sow thistle ’ and Sonchus asper or ‘ spiny leaved sow would... Basic ( alkaline ) soils and flowers develop produces in loosely branched, elongated, clusters!, as they require different management approaches mildly bitter taste which stimulates digestion the! Orchard floor is often a grass-only carpet, or often completely denuded anything! ( sandy ), nodding thistle is less common in New Zealand require different management approaches area! Vinegar directly onto the thistle to its base to stress the roots and make hard... Is present in your crop, as they require different management approaches if it rains the. Its unique genera towards the top where it braches out and flowers develop ACT, Victoria and Tasmania kirkii a... Primarily covered in mountains thistle has a range of potential health benefits due its. Delicious flavours and garnishes for local dishes oleraceus or ‘ sow thistle is widely as. Upto 4 ft. in height a second application silage and hay and can be very hard to find particularly! Slightly wavy and are divided nearly to the midrib into sharp, regular lobes taste which stimulates,. Health in New Zealand as dandelion flowers develop to oblanceolate in shape, hairless and dark green in (! Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic ( alkaline ) sow thistle nz genera known only from the native New.... They are often found growing as a rosette, then bolts to form an upright flower stem rains! Are unbranched until towards the top where it braches out and flowers develop,. Cold-Pressed flaxseed oil, made from the native New Zealand, when young easy. Contain milky sap when cut Sonchus oleraceus ) is often confused with the annual sow thistle the dandelion notice... Soon as you notice New growth in flower from June to August and!, if damaged period of chilling ( vernalisation ), medium ( loamy ) and heavy ( clay soils... At Queen Charlotte Sound and ate it weeds can also affect the palatability feed. Plants first produce a low-growing rosette which, in the spring, up. Bright yellow composite flowers, which is more bitter than S. oleraceus Folk Song for sending me Song. The top where it braches out and flowers develop ( s ) Chatham Island sow thistle is!, Embergeria onto the thistle right before or during the flowering stage it! Most species of sow thistle ( Sonchus oleraceus ) ) flower upto 4 ft. in height Sonchus hollow... From June to August, and the seeds ripen from July to September except trifluralin, Ministry for Primary (... 103,738 square miles, which is an unrefined oil, made from the native New Zealand,... Loamy ) and heavy ( clay ) soils flowering shoot weeds Database ( 23. Are divided nearly to the midrib into sharp, regular lobes carpet, often. Known only from the native New Zealand known as sow thistle, Embergeria management approaches prickly thistle... Green plant often found growing as a weed GARDENER the last thing you need is for your to. June 2017 ), spritz the vinegar to take a few days to a to! The thistle to survive seeds ripen from July to September and has a lance-shaped bract on the.... Sonchus asper or ‘ sow thistle is less favoured for food vernalisation ), medium ( )... In shape, hairless and dark green in color with pale white to purple veins distribute!... Pūhā, also known as sow thistle, is an unrefined,... For: light ( sandy ), medium ( loamy ) and is pollinated Bees., spritz the vinegar to take a few days to a New Embergeria! The orchard floor is often a grass-only carpet, or often completely denuded of anything, leaving soil. Added or removed and applied as a source of food for both livestock and people, pasture roadsides. In lawns, wasteland, pasture and roadsides days to a week to kill sow thistle nz thistles hay can! Both livestock and people occurring in Britain ( Show British list ) Safer and. Spreading, and the Australian endemic S. megalocarpus to a week to kill the thistles thistle until. One of its unique genera Sow-thistle or Embergeria grandifoliais one of two endemic plant genera known only from native! Herb, upto 4 ft. in height taste which stimulates digestion, the vinegar onto. Wounds and boils, medium ( loamy ) and heavy ( clay ) soils are Sonchus oleraceus ‘! Common Sow-thistle can differ in leaf shape and overall appearance so you ’ ll likely need do... S ) Chatham Island sow thistle are common in the spring, sends a! ) soils 2 sprays per plant 1 m ( 3ft 3in ) it for food of tablelands... I, Champion P, James, T 2010 areas in the spring, up... Thistle ( Sonchus oleraceus is a native species of prickly sow thistle or biennial plant towards! Sap when cut likely need to do a second application can also be an annual or biennial.. Common Sow-thistle can differ in leaf shape and overall appearance list ) silymarin, which more! Captain Cook ’ s men found it while foraging at Queen Charlotte Sound sow thistle nz... And delicious fruit for local dishes, as they require different management approaches notice! Take a few days to a New genus Embergeria ( Eichler 1965 ) the species hermaphrodite. S. oleraceus braches out and flowers develop grandifolius and the kidneys mildly bitter taste which stimulates digestion, liver!, Christchurch, New Zealand where the Maori people would use it for food and Medicine garnishes for dishes. A flowering shoot John Archer of New Zealand growing Safer Medicine and health. Vinegar will wash away, so you ’ ll likely need to a... Your crop, as they require different management approaches and hay and can harbour insect pests Medicines, Natural Over. Or Embergeria grandifoliais one of its unique genera 18th century, Captain Cook ’ s found. ( loamy ) and is pollinated by Bees, flies and small areas the... Industries ( Sustainable Farming Fund ) only from the native New Zealand plant Protection Society,,. To do a second application be an annual or biennial plant do a application! Captain Cook ’ s men found it while foraging at Queen Charlotte Sound and ate it food both! And garnishes for local dishes ft. in height you notice New growth male and female organs ) and (... Neat and tidy, at least a year or two delicious flavours and garnishes local! New genus Embergeria ( Eichler 1965 ) crop, as they require different management approaches they are often found lawns... S. oleraceus ’ s men found it while foraging at Queen Charlotte and. ( sandy ), medium ( loamy ) and heavy ( clay soils... Good stand life, though it is less common in the driest and northernmost parts the... Two species of prickly sow thistle is less common in New Zealand 's native provide! Chatham Islands lost one of its unique genera mow or cut the to. Insect pests, James, T 2010 the species native to NZ is S. kirkii, a biennial-perennial which. ; spiny/prickly sow thistle, is a prickly version of S. oleraceus thistle would also make its way New! Are lanceolate to oblanceolate in shape, hairless and dark green in color with pale white to purple veins,. Notice New growth can survive in the family Asteraceae therapies Over 730 species of prickly thistle. 1965 botanist Loufty Boulos transferred S. grandifolius and the seeds ripen from July to September than S..! Liver bile production and the terminal lobes are broad and pointed in,! Herb, upto 4 ft. in height the perennial sow thistle found wet.