: any of a genus (Sonchus) of spiny weedy Eurasian and African composite herbs including some (such as S. arvensis and S. oleraceus) widely naturalized in North America
Examples of sow thistle in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Secondly, true dandelions shouldn’t be confused with lookalikes like cat’s ear (false dandelion), sow thistle, coltsfoot and autumn hawkbit.
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Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
And don’t confuse the real thing with cat’s ear, sow thistle, coltsfoot or autumn hawkbit.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
And while true dandelions have several lookalikes — cat’s ear (false dandelions), sow thistle, coltsfoot and autumn hawkbit — none are toxic.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2026
Her table was filled with plants such as horehound, which can be used as a cough suppressant; chickweed, used to reduce fevers and hot flashes; and sow thistle, which feeds the heart.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2025
Other native plant enemies include sow thistle; dandelions, which spread clouds of seeds once their cheerful yellow flowers dry up; tall bulky horseweed; round-leaved cheeseweed; purslane; and spurge, which blanket the ground like thick green doilies.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2022
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Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
And don’t confuse the real thing with cat’s ear, sow thistle, coltsfoot or autumn hawkbit.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
And while true dandelions have several lookalikes — cat’s ear (false dandelions), sow thistle, coltsfoot and autumn hawkbit — none are toxic.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2026
Her table was filled with plants such as horehound, which can be used as a cough suppressant; chickweed, used to reduce fevers and hot flashes; and sow thistle, which feeds the heart.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2025
Other native plant enemies include sow thistle; dandelions, which spread clouds of seeds once their cheerful yellow flowers dry up; tall bulky horseweed; round-leaved cheeseweed; purslane; and spurge, which blanket the ground like thick green doilies.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2022
Cite this Entry
“Sow thistle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sow%20thistle. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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