Common sowthistle
Widespread weed of fields, gardens and roadsides flowering in almost every season; provides a little nectar and yellow pollen in the morning hours.
- Nectar
- Low
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Pollen colour
- Height
- 0,3-1 m
- Life cycle
- Annual
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Common sowthistle is an annual or biennial with milky sap that grows almost everywhere in the world, in fields, orchards and gardens, along roadsides and in built-up areas. Its dandelion-like yellow heads open in the morning and close in the afternoon; bees collect nectar and pollen during this short window. A single plant contributes little, but thanks to its very long flowering period it gives regular support during dearth periods.
Flowering
In temperate regions it flowers from April to November; on the Mediterranean coast it is also in flower in winter.
Honey and pollen
There is no monofloral honey. The pollen loads are yellow to orange.
Note for the beekeeper
Because it is constantly controlled as a weed, it is not a reliable source; but leaving some of it at garden and field edges adds to pollen diversity, especially in autumn. Its young leaves are gathered as a wild vegetable in many areas.