Family: chicories (Cichoriaceae)
Blooming period: June–October
Size: 30–100 cm
Habitat: cultivated soils, road edges, ruins and old walls
The branched, hollow stem of the common sow-thistle (Sonchus oleraceus) is bare or glandular in the upper part. It is leafed with dull, non-glossy, softly pinnately dissected leaves, which do not prick to the touch. The leaves are alternately arranged; the middle and upper ones clasp the stem with a spear-shaped base. Heads 10–15 mm long consist of numerous pale-yellow ligulate florets.
The common sow-thistle is a delicate plant that thrives on moderately moist and nitrogen-rich soils on an alkaline substrate. It is widespread and common throughout Slovenia, avoiding only the high mountains.
