Glaucous fox-and-cubs (Pilosella lactucella, Watsonia 6: 314 (1967))

Family: Asteraceae

Author: (Wallr.) P.D.Sell & C.West

Bibliography: Watsonia 6: 314 (1967)

Year: 1967

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Pilosella

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe

Description

The glaucous fox-and-cubs, known scientifically as Pilosella lactucella, is a captivating species belonging to the Asteraceae family. Recognized in botanical literature since its appearance in Watsonia in 1967, with contributions from esteemed botanists P.D. Sell and C. West, this plant possesses a unique charm.

The glaucous fox-and-cubs is native to Europe, where it flourishes in the varied climates and terrains of this diverse continent. Its common name reflects its distinct features: ‘glaucous’ refers to the bluish-grey waxy coating on its leaves, and ‘fox-and-cubs’ alludes to the plant’s striking inflorescence. Typically, Pilosella lactucella can be identified by its rosette-forming habit, with the basal leaves exhibiting a glaucous texture.

This perennial herbaceous plant is not only a visual delight but also an ecological participant, contributing to the biodiversity of its native habitats. Its flowers, usually yellow, are grouped in clusters and can be seen blooming from late spring through summer, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Overall, the glaucous fox-and-cubs, with its botanical subtleties and ecological significance, continues to be a subject of interest and admiration among botanists and plant enthusiasts alike.

Common Names

Deu: geöhrtes mausohrhabichtskraut
Pol: jastrzębiec gronkowy
Est: kõrv-karutubakas
Dan: lancetbladet høgeurt
Lav: salātu pamauraga
Fra: épervière petite laitue, épervière petite-laitue, piloselle auricule, piloselle petite-laitue
Bul: млечна румянка
Ukr: нечуйвiтер великовушковий, нечуйвiтер волосистообгортковий, нечуйвiтер гостролусковий, нечуйвiтер литовський, нечуйвiтер темнообгортковий, нечуйвiтер чорнообгортковий
Eng: glaucous fox-and-cubs, lettuce hawkweed, european hawkweed
Nld: spits havikskruid
Swe: revfibbla
En: Glaucous Fox-and-cubs, Lettuce hawkweed, European hawkweed
Bg: Млечна румянка
Da: Lancetbladet høgeurt
Nl: Spits havikskruid, Spits-Havikskruid
Et: Kõrv-karutubakas
Fr: Épervière petite laitue, Épervière petite-laitue, Piloselle auricule, Piloselle petite-laitue, Épervière auricule
De: Geöhrtes Mausohrhabichtskraut, Geöhrtes Habichtskraut, Öhrchen-Habichtskraut
It: Sparviere orecchia di topo
Lv: Salātu pamauraga
Pl: Jastrzębiec gronkowy
Sv: Revfibbla
Uk: Нечуйвiтер великовушковий, Нечуйвiтер волосистообгортковий, Нечуйвiтер гостролусковий, Нечуйвiтер литовський, Нечуйвiтер темнообгортковий, Нечуйвiтер чорнообгортковий

Synonyms

Distribution

• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Italy (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• New York (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)

Additional Images

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

Leaf

Taken Sep 13, 2022 by Jim Ridley (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 27, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 12, 2018 by Denis Denis LEBERT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 11, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 11, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 27, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jul 11, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 3, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 11, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 2, 2020 by Francois Mansour (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

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

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

Taken Jun 30, 1869 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/9509071)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:238164-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Pilosella lactucella (Wallr.) P.D.Sell & C.West)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 5.5

Ph minimum: 5.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Soil nutriments: 2