Sow Thistle (Smooth Sowthistle, Annual Sow Thistle, Hare's Colwort, Prickly Sowthistle, Field Sowthistle, Perennial Sow Thistle, Spiny Sow Thistle)

• Common Name: Sow Thistle (Smooth Sowthistle, Annual Sow Thistle, Hare's Colwort, Prickly Sowthistle, Field Sowthistle, Perennial Sow Thistle, Spiny Sow Thistle)
• Latin Name: Sonchus spp. esp. Sonchus oleraceus
• Family Name: Asteraceae/Compositae

There are 130 species of Sow Thistle (Sowthistle), some with smooth leaves and some with spiny leaves.  All can readily readily soak up nitrates from the soil, and in large quantities nitrates may reduce the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood.  If the Sow Thistles are growing on nitrogen-rich soil (e.g. soil that has had chemical fertilisers added, or rich potting compost) then feed in small quantities only, but if grown on poor soil then they are safe to feed.