![](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/3sSgrzYFoyi8Ibw5whYKXN/b066e9444c465afce9352ccc4699dfd1/perennial_sowthistle_01.jpg?fm=webp&w=1080&q=85)
Perennial sowthistle
Sonchus arvensis
Importance
Likes wet heavy loams and rich clays. Scattered but serious where it does occur.
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/3mRJMwO15R8iORwaHL5htd/7d1278267a01c1efc37e919009a09ead/perennial_sowthistle_01.jpg?fm=webp&w=1920&q=85)
1. Readily grows from root fragments but where seedlings occur, cotyledons are smooth, oval and short stalked. They are reddish-purple on the margins and light green in colour.
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/3TLlLBayR979HpSq6ElsR1/358bb707b1e5739915e01a959ee477ae/perennial_sowthistle_02.jpg?fm=webp&w=1920&q=85)
2. First leaves are also a long oval shape and short stalked, with a shiny appearance. True leaves are long and narrow, with toothed margins and form a rosette prior to stem extension and flowering.
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/54hv9GamAWBJlTfVJfSZHR/9759c5ac7ebcc02efd799fef6e0973ae/perernial_sowthiste_04.jpg?fm=webp&w=1920&q=85)
3. This perennial is tall with bright yellow flowers, which are larger than those of the annual sowthistle species.
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/1h0qvud54Zy9GzLekPOd5R/677728ff5c36c4492f44e69e75b97e83/FieldMate_Promo_Mobile.jpg?fm=webp&w=3840&q=85)
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/3CvKagUshwoSyxEDqRj52c/bd6e3be09e808d22cf4c4c324b6d4ac7/FieldMate_Promo_Desktop.jpg?fm=webp&w=3840&q=85)
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/3CvKagUshwoSyxEDqRj52c/bd6e3be09e808d22cf4c4c324b6d4ac7/FieldMate_Promo_Desktop.jpg?fm=webp&w=3840&q=85)