Sonchus palustris, commonly known as marsh sowthistle,[3] is a plant native to temperate regions of the Europe, Russia, Central Asia, and Xinjiang in western China.

[4][5] It has also become naturalized in a few locations in the Canadian Province of Ontario.

[3] Sonchus palustris can be found in damp peaty or silty soils rich in nitrogen.

[6] The species epithet palustris is Latin for "of the marsh" and indicates its common habitat.

[7] It is a perennial herb sometimes as much as 350 cm (almost 12 feet) tall.