Knowledgebase

Plant Identification #839818

Asked July 09, 2023, 9:25 PM EDT

I was hoping you could help identify this plant growing between my neighbor's and my fence. It has prickles like a venus fly trap but it was tall (~3 feet), and while we were cutting it down white liquid sap-like stuff was in stems.

Wayne County Michigan

Expert Response

Hi Jacqui,

I think you have what is commonly called perennial sowthistle (scientific name Sonchus arvensis). It is hard for me to tell from you photograph. It could also be prickly lettuce (scientific name Lactuca serriola), but the leaves in your picture seem to particularly spiny. 

Here is a profile of perennial sowthistle with some images and a description of similar weeds. https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/perennial-sowthistle-sonchus-arvensis

Lindsey K. Kerr, MS, MHP (she, her, hers)
Consumer Horticulture Educator
Michigan State University Extension

Lindsey K. Kerr, MS, MHP (she, her, hers) Replied July 10, 2023, 12:02 PM EDT

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