Urospermum picroides

(L.) Scop. ex F. W. Schmidt

False hawkbit, Sow thistle

Asteraceae Edible: Leaves, Stems, Root 6,333 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Urospermum picroides is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common name prickly goldenfleece. It is native to Eurasia and it is known as an introduced species in many other regions, including North and South America, Australia, and southern Africa. It grows as a common weed in disturbed habitat. This annual herb grows up to 30 to 50 centimeters tall. It is coated in long hairs and bristles. The bristly leaves are variously shaped, often divided into many sharp-toothed lobes. The inflorescence bears flower heads on thick peduncles. The head is 1 to 2 centimeters long or more and filled with yellow ray florets. It is enveloped in several pointed phyllaries which are covered in bristly hairs. The fruit is an achene well over a centimeter in length which is tipped with a pappus of bristles.

Description

A low herb which keeps growing from year to year. It grows 60 cm tall. The leaves at the base are divided into lobes along the stalk. The lobes point backwards. The leaves on the stem are oval or sword shaped. They clasp the stem and the upper leaves are opposite. The flower bracts are oval or sword shaped and often have a dark violet edge. They have long points and bristly hairs. The flower heads are pale yellow. The achenes are 11-15 mm long.

Edible Uses

Both the leaves and roots of this plant are eaten, and it has a long history as a traditional food in southern Croatia and adjacent southwestern Herzegovina. It is a regionally important wild green vegetable with a diverse phytochemical composition, including various metabolites and sesquiterpene derivatives.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are cooked and eaten. They are used in soups and stews. They are also used with other greens in a vegetable pie. The stems are eaten raw as a snack.

Medicinal Uses

Recent studies indicate that this plant shows no significant toxicity to normal cells and has notable anti-inflammatory properties. It can increase secretion of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 while decreasing levels of the pro-inflammatory IL-6, supporting its potential as a safe functional food and nutraceutical.

Distribution

It is a Mediterranean climate plant. It grows on fallow land and waste ground. It grows in warm temperate places. It can grow in dry soil. It can grow in arid places. In Argentina it grows below 500 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Africa, Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Azores, Balkans, Bosnia, Caucasus, Chile, Crete, Croatia, Egypt, Europe, France, Greece, Iran, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Mediterranean, Middle East, North Africa, Portugal, Sicily, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Syria, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay, Yugoslavia,

Propagation

Seed.

Other Uses

None known.

Synonyms

Amopogon picroides (L.) Willd.Tragopogon asper L.and others

Also Known As

Cardiddazza spinusa, Cerrajon, Coleta, Cristalle, Fogghje di vacca, Garlupa, Helvacik, Iaddina grass, Lattuquedde, Korkolekanida, Plestina, Plesti guzica, Srhkodlakava repatka, Zochos, Zuccho

References (22)

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Biscotti, N. et al, 2018, The traditional food use of wild vegetables in Apulia (Italy) in the light of Italian ethnobotanical literature. Italian Botanist 5:1-24
Blamey, M and Grey-Wilson, C., 2005, Wild flowers of the Mediterranean. A & C Black London. p 462
Blanco-Salas, J., et al, 2019, Wild Plants Potentially Used in Human Food in the Protected Area “Sierra Grande de Hornachos” of Extremadura (Spain). Sustainability 2019, 11, 456
Dashorst, G.R.M., and Jessop, J.P., 1998, Plants of the Adelaide Plains & Hills. Botanic Gardens of Adelaide and State Herbarium. p 152

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