Shaggy mouse-ear-hawkweed (Pilosella peleteriana, Flora 45: 421 (1862))

Family: Asteraceae

Author: (Mérat) F.W.Schultz & Sch.Bip.

Bibliography: Flora 45: 421 (1862)

Year: 1862

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Pilosella

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: W. Europe to W. & C. Medit.

Description

The Shaggy mouse-ear-hawkweed, known scientifically as Pilosella peleteriana, is a fascinating and resilient plant. First described in 1862 in “Flora,” a significant botanical work, this species was formally attributed to botanists Mérat, F.W.Schultz, and Sch.Bip.

Belonging to the Asteraceae family, Pilosella peleteriana shares its lineage with some of the most ubiquitous and hardy plants found across various environments. The Shaggy mouse-ear-hawkweed is primarily native to Western Europe and thrives in regions extending to the Western and Central Mediterranean. This broad geographical spread indicates the plant’s adaptability to different climates and soil conditions.

The plant is characterized by its distinctive shaggy appearance, with fine hair-like structures on its leaves. These leaves are similar in shape to a mouse’s ear, which lends the plant its common name. The features of Shaggy mouse-ear-hawkweed are not just for show—they assist in minimizing water loss and protect the plant against herbivores and harsh weather conditions.

Overall, Pilosella peleteriana is a remarkable example of nature’s ability to evolve and thrive across a wide range of ecological niches. Its historical and botanical significance continues to be noted in academic literature and by plant enthusiasts alike.

Common Names

Deu: peletier-mausohrhabichtskraut
Ita: sparviere di peletier
Fra: épervière de lepeletier
Eng: shaggy mouse-ear-hawkweed, shaggy mouse-ear hawkweed
Nld: vals muizenoor
Sme: dearbmefivli
Cym: clust-y-llygoden hirflewog
En: Shaggy Mouse-ear-hawkweed, Shaggy mouse-ear hawkweed
Nl: Vals muizenoor, Vals Muizeoor
Fr: Épervière de Lepeletier, Piloselle de Lepèletier, Épervière de Lepèletier
De: Peletier-Mausohrhabichtskraut, Lepèletiers Habichtskraut
It: Sparviere di Peletier, Sparviere di Lepeletier
Se: Dearbmefivli
Cy: Clust-y-Llygoden Hirflewog

Synonyms

• Hieracium pilosella var. peleteriana ((Mérat) Gaudin)
• Pilosella officinarum subsp. peleteriana ((Mérat) T.Tyler)
• Hieracium peleterianum (Mérat)

Distribution

• Belarus (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Italy (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Norway (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• West Siberia (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jul 9, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Michel PANSIOT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2022 by Christian BORDENAVE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2022 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2022 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 24, 2014 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Michel PANSIOT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2022 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 15, 2018 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Marc TISON (©)

Taken Jul 9, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Michel PANSIOT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Michel PANSIOT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Marc TISON (©)

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

© 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/3123717)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:238233-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Pilosella peleteriana (Mérat) F.W.Schultz & Sch.Bip.)

Specifications

Growth