Perennial sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis) is an invasive plant. It is a native of Eurasia and was first detected in Great lakes region in 1865.
Sowthistle is considered a noxious weed in California, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming as they grow quickly in a wide range of conditions and their wind-borne seeds allow them to spread rapidly. Sonchus arvensis, is considered economically detrimental, as it can crowd commercial crops, is a heavy consumer of nitrogen in soils, may deplete soil water of land left to fallow, and can regrow and sprout additional plants from its creeping roots.
For more information about this plant pest, see the CABI data sheet.