I’m Sowthistle, standing resilient within the November chill.
Whereas most vegetation have scattered their seeds to the wind, I persist in protected corners and alongside sunny partitions, providing tender younger leaves at the same time as frost threatens.
My hole stem nonetheless carries its milky sap – a reminder of why farmers as soon as cherished me for rising their sows’ milk manufacturing.
You may spot me by my resemblance to dandelions, although I stand taller. My yellow flowers are fewer now as winter approaches.
Nonetheless, my leaves proceed to emerge from the cooling soil.
Whether or not you discover my smooth-leaved type (Sonchus oleraceus) or my prickly cousin (Sonchus asper), we provide the identical late-season sustenance.
In these shorter days, I’ve develop into sweeter—the chilly has gentled my bitter notes.
I flourish in disturbed soils the place others may overlook my presence.
Those that recognise my price hunt down my latest development, which stays tender even now, whereas avoiding my older leaves, which have grown more durable and extra assertive in flavour.
For the November forager, I provide my greatest leaves for warming dishes. Strip them from my stem. I shine when rapidly wilted into pasta or stirred into sizzling soups.
My mineral-rich leaves, filled with zinc, manganese, copper, iron, and calcium, present important nourishment when different greens have light.
Search for me in protected areas the place the final heat lingers—towards south-facing partitions, within the shelter of hedgerows, or in forgotten backyard corners.
Right here, I proceed my historic position as a bridge between seasons, providing winter vitality to those that know the place to look.
