False hawkbit (Urospermum picroides, Samml. Phys. Aufsätze Böhm. Naturgesch. 1: 275 (1795))

Family: Asteraceae

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

Bibliography: Samml. Phys. Aufsätze Böhm. Naturgesch. 1: 275 (1795)

Year: 1795

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Urospermum

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia, Medit. to Iran and Arabian Pen.

Description

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False hawkbit, scientifically named Urospermum picroides, is a member of the Asteraceae family. This perennial herb is renowned for its bright yellow flowers and its wide geographic distribution that spans from Macaronesia and the Mediterranean region all the way to Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.

First described in scientific literature by an authority known as (L.) Scop. ex F.W.Schmidt in the year 1795, this plant has captivated botanists and plant enthusiasts for centuries, contributing to the rich tapestry of native flora in these regions.

False hawkbit typically thrives in well-drained soils and can often be found in a variety of habitats including fields, roadside verges, and open areas where it enjoys full sunlight. Its resilience and adaptability allow it to flourish in diverse environmental conditions ranging from coastal climates to more arid inland locales.

The plant’s structure is characterized by its rosette of basal leaves, which are deeply lobed and slightly hairy. These leaves give way to slender, branching stems that bear the clusters of radiant, daisy-like blooms. Each flower head is composed of numerous strap-shaped florets, a signature characteristic of the Asteraceae family, and is supported by a cup of bracts with overlapping layers.

Apart from its visual appeal, False hawkbit holds ecological significance as well. It serves as a source of nectar and pollen for a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, thus playing a role in the maintenance of local biodiversity.

In summary, Urospermum picroides, or False hawkbit, is a shining example of the natural beauty and ecological importance found within the Asteraceae family. Its ability to adapt and thrive across a range of geographic regions makes it a fascinating subject for further study and appreciation.

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Common Names

Ara: ‘adheed, udhaidh, khioach, salis, uddaidha, سَليس, مُذَنَّبَة مُرَّيْرِيَّة
Spa: barba de viejo
Deu: bitterkraut-schwefelkörbchen
Ita: boccione minore
Eng: false hawkbit, prickly goldenfleece
Sqi: rrëshiell i egër
Fra: urosperme fausse picride, urosperme faux picris
Bul: пикровиден уроспермум
Rus: хвостосемянник горчаковидный
Hye: պոչասերմիկ դառնիճանման
Heb: אֶזְנָב מָצוּי, אזנב מצוי
En: False Hawkbit, Prickly Goldenfleece, Prickly Golden-fleece
Sq: Rrëshiell i egër
Ar: ‘adheed, Udhaidh, Khioach, Salis, Uddaidha, سَليس, مُذَنَّبَة مُرَّيْرِيَّة
Hy: Պոչասերմիկ դառնիճանման
Bg: Пикровиден уроспермум
Fr: Urosperme fausse Picride, Urosperme faux Picris
De: Bitterkraut-Schwefelkörbchen, Bitteres Schwefelköpfchen
He: אֶזְנָב מָצוּי, אזנב מצוי
It: Boccione minore
Ru: Хвостосемянник горчаковидный
Es: Barba de viejo
: Prickly goldenfleece

Synonyms

• Urospermum asperum ((L.) DC.)
• Urospermum picroides var. asperum ((L.) Duby)
• Tragopogon aculeatus (Moench)
• Urospermum capense ((Jacq.) Spreng.)
• Daumailia spinulosa (Arènes)
• Tragopogonodes picrodes ((L.) Kuntze)
• Arnopogon capensis ((Jacq.) Willd.)
• Arnopogon asper ((L.) Willd.)
• Arnopogon picroides ((L.) Willd.)
• Tragopogon capensis (Jacq.)
• Tragopogon asper (L.)
• Tragopogon sonchifolius (Salisb.)
• Tragopogon picroides (L.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Cape Verde (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Gulf States (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Kuwait (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Oman (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 7, 2019 by margarida vila (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 18, 2018 by Carlos Rubí (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 25, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 2019 by margarida vila (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2015 by Reinhard Bachmann (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 24, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 25, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 25, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 8, 2018 by Philippe Macquet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 10, 2019 by Viviane Rezzoug (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 25, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 6, 2022 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 25, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Nov 1, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 1, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2017 by Jasmina Avdić (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2022 by Nancy Costantino (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 22, 2021 by Pieter Verbrugghe (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Nov 1, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Patrick LEBOULENGER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 1, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 14, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 14, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 3, 2021 by Ruiz Juanan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2016 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Feb 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken May 16, 2021 by Mattia Dibello (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3096624)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:257067-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Urospermum picroides (L.) Scop. ex F.W.Schmidt)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 3

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’]

Soil nutriments: 6