Picris echioides
L.
Bristly Ox-Tongue
gbif· cc-by-nc-nd
Ariane Mathy
gbif· cc-by-nc-nd
Ariane Mathy
gbif· cc-by-nc-nd
Ariane Mathy
Description
Picris echioides is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to October, and the seeds ripen from July to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, Apomictic (reproduce by seeds formed without sexual fusion). The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Edible Uses
Young leaves - raw or cooked. Not wonderful raw, the leaves are slightly better cooked. A rather bitter flavour.
Distribution
S. Europe. Possibly native but certainly established in Britain.
Where It Grows
TEMPERATE ASIA: Cyprus, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia EUROPE: Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, Ukraine (Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece (incl. Crete), Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Spain (Canarias), Portugal (Madeira Islands), Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia
Cultivation
Succeeds in most soils. Dislikes shade. Wild plants are an indicator of calcareous soils. Seed is often produced apomictically. Any seedlings from this seed will be genetically identical to the parent plant.
Propagation
Seed - sow spring in situ, only just covering the seed. Germination should take place quite quickly.
