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Prickly Sowthistle

Sonchus asper

-30
Harmful

Not native to West Virginia. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 59%

Height
2–4 feet
Light
Full sun
Soil moisture
Somewhat dry to moist

Do not plant. Listed invasive in West Virginia.

At a glance

Life cycle
Annual

Not yet recorded · Spread · Leaves · Bloom

This plant is missing most of its facts, so Quercus is looking them up in old botany books.

Recorded in 6 West Virginia counties.

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

3CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including WV

Genus host records with ranges including WV · Sonchus

  • Anarta trifoliiThe Nutmeg, Clover Cutworm
  • Phycitodes reliquellaWhite-Edged Phycitodes
  • Spodoptera frugiperdaFall Armyworm Moth
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
1Specialist beesPollen specialists

Pollen specialists · Sonchus

  • Andrena chromotricha
Smith, Bachelder, Russell, Morales, Mosher & Seltmann 2024, Bee-Specialization-Modeling v0.6.1 (specialist host table compiled from J. Fowler's pollen specialist bee lists), Zenodo, CC BY 4.0
6BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Sonchus

  • Callipepla californicaCalifornia Quail
  • Junco hyemalisDark-eyed Junco
  • Melospiza melodiaSong Sparrow
  • Perdix perdixGray Partridge
  • Tympanuchus phasianellusSharp-tailed Grouse
  • Zonotrichia leucophrysWhite-crowned Sparrow
Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)

Direct food only: birds recorded eating this genus across North America. Caterpillars on host plants also feed nesting birds. NC Native Plant Society: butterfly gardening

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Asteraceae
Flower color
Yellow

What its natural habitat tells you

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Spiny Leaf Sow Thistle

Conservation status

West Virginia rankSNA
Global rankGNR
WV statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Native alternatives

Find natives for your garden

Sources