Oxtongue
Picris rhagadioloides (L.) Desf.
Picris rhagadioloides (L.) Desf. is a species in the Asteraceae family, commonly known as Oxtongue. It is a rosette herb, annual, growing 20-80 cm tall, with a hispid surface and 2-barbed bristles. Native to regions including Lebanon, Spain, Turkey, and parts of North Africa and the Middle East, it was first published in 1804. The species has undergone taxonomic discussion, with some uncertainty in its application to the genus Picris. However, recent studies support its inclusion in the genus.
Description
This species is characterized by its narrow, obovate rosette leaves, 5-15 cm long, and hispid, ribbed flowering stems. The synflorescence is paniculiform, with 30-100 flowers per head. The involucre is broadly campanulate, with involucral bracts that are often purplish or blackish. The corolla is ligulate, yellow or purple, with a ligule 9 mm long. Achenes are fusiform, curved, and dark brown, with transverse ribs. Taxonomic uncertainty was previously raised, but recent analysis supports its placement in the genus Picris.
Other common names
Oxtongue
Distribution
Lebanon · Sinai · East Aegean Is. · Algeria · Poland · Turkey · Spain · Israel · Libya · Croatia · Albania · Egypt · Jordan · Syria · Cyprus · Italy · Montana · New South Wales · Turkey-in-Europe · Saudi Arabia · South Australia · France · Greece · Macedonia · Kriti · Bulgaria · IT · conterminous 48 United States · Germany · Lebanon-Syria
Synonyms
Medicusia asperaPicris asperaPicris altissimaChoeroseris rhagadioloidesPicris integrifoliaCrepis rhagadioloidesPicris integrifoliaPicris laxa
