The Voynich Botanical Plants

Folio 15r. Sow Thistles (Sonchus oleraceus). The ancient Greek name for these plants was Sonchus. The stem contains a milky latex that is extruded if any part of the plant is cut. The plants were fed to lactating sows in the belief that their milk production would increase. The young leaves are used in salads. They have high vitamin C content and are a good source of calcium, phosphorous and iron. (1) (B)