Bristly oxtongue.

De un vistazo

Nivel de cuidados

Fácil

Tipo de planta

Biennial herb

Luz

Full sun

Luz en interior

Sol directo

Riego

Cada 7 a 14 días

Tamaño adulto

3 feet

Ritmo de crecimiento

Medio

Rusticidad

USDA 6 a 10

Floración

Late spring to early autumn

Cuidados

This plant thrives in full sun and well drained soil. Watch for wilting during extreme heat, though it is generally drought tolerant once established. Keep an eye out for aphids that might cluster on the flower buds.

Riego

Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Abonado

Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer sparingly during the active growing season.

Poda

Remove spent flower stalks to encourage a tidy appearance and prevent unwanted self seeding.

Trasplante

Repot only if the plant becomes root bound in its container.

Suelo

Well drained, loamy or sandy soil

pH del suelo

Neutral to slightly alkaline

Temperatura

-10 a 35°C

Humedad

30 a 70%

Seguridad

Personas

There are no reports of significant toxicity to humans.

Niños

The stiff, prickly hairs on the leaves and stems can scratch delicate skin, so handle with care.

Alérgenos por contacto

The stiff, hooked hairs can cause mechanical skin irritation upon contact.

Alérgenos en el aire

The pollen may trigger mild allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Comestibilidad

Young leaves are sometimes eaten as a potherb, but the bristly texture makes them unpalatable to most.

Cómo identificarla

• Rough, bristly hairs on leaves
• Yellow flower heads with bracts
• Basal rosette of lance shaped leaves
• Milky sap inside stems

Altura

0,3 a 0,9m

Anchura

0,2 a 0,45m

Hojas

green, deciduous

Flores

yellow, 2 a 3cm

Frutos

brown, Summer to autumn

Problemas frecuentes

• Powdery mildew — A fungal infection that appears as white dusty patches on the leaves.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagación

seed

Cuándo plantar

spring, autumn

Plant in open, sunny areas where it can naturalize without crowding out smaller, less aggressive species.

Buenas compañeras

• Field Poppy — They share similar environmental needs in meadow settings.
• Cornflower — This plant provides a nice color contrast to the yellow flowers.

Especies parecidas

• Hieracium — They share similar yellow dandelion like flowers.
• Diente de león — The flowers and growth habit are superficially similar.

Ciencia

Familia

Asteraceae

Género

Helminthotheca

Orden

Asterales

Clase

Magnoliopsida

Distribución natural

Mediterranean region and parts of Europe.

Conservación

It is considered a widespread weed in many regions and is not of conservation concern.

It thrives in disturbed soils, roadsides, and waste ground where it can outcompete other species for light.

Valor para la fauna

nectar source

Polinizadores

abejas, mariposas

Usos

wildflower meadows, pollinator gardens

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

Is it a weed?

Yes, it is often considered an invasive weed in agricultural fields and disturbed areas.

How do I control it?

Hand pull the plants before they set seed to prevent spread.

De dónde viene el nombre

The genus name Helminthotheca comes from Greek words meaning worm and case, referring to the worm like appearance of the seeds. Echioides means resembling Echium, another plant with bristly foliage.

Bueno saberlo

• The common name bristly oxtongue refers to the rough, tongue shaped leaves.
• It is an annual or biennial plant that spreads readily by wind dispersed seeds.
• The flowers close up during cloudy weather or at night.