I am Sowthistle, standing resilient in the November chill.
While most plants have scattered their seeds to the wind, I persist in protected corners and along sunny walls, offering tender young leaves even as frost threatens.
My hollow stem still carries its milky sap – a reminder of why farmers once cherished me for increasing their sows’ milk production.
You might spot me by my resemblance to dandelions, though I stand taller. My yellow flowers are fewer now as winter approaches.
Still, my leaves continue to emerge from the cooling soil.
Whether you find my smooth-leaved form (Sonchus oleraceus) or my prickly cousin (Sonchus asper), we offer the same late-season sustenance.
In these shorter days, I’ve become sweeter—the cold has gentled my bitter notes.
I flourish in disturbed soils where others might overlook my presence.
Those who recognise my worth seek out my newest growth, which remains tender even now, while avoiding my older leaves, which have grown tougher and more assertive in flavour.
For the November forager, I offer my best leaves for warming dishes. Strip them from my stem. I shine when quickly wilted into pasta or stirred into hot soups.
My mineral-rich leaves, packed with zinc, manganese, copper, iron, and calcium, provide vital nourishment when other greens have faded.
Look for me in protected spaces where the last warmth lingers—against south-facing walls, in the shelter of hedgerows, or in forgotten garden corners.
Here, I continue my ancient role as a bridge between seasons, offering winter vitality to those who know where to look.