Bristly oxtongue (Picris echioides)
At a glance
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Exposure
- Full sun
Cultivation
Succeeds in most soils. Dislikes shade. Wild plants are an indicator of calcareous soils. Seed is often produced apomictically. Any seedlings from this seed will be genetically identical to the parent plant.
Propagation
Seed - sow spring in situ, only just covering the seed. Germination should take place quite quickly.
Edible uses
Young leaves - raw or cooked. A rather bitter flavour[K].
Habitat
Roadsides, hedgebanks, field margins and waste places, usually on stiff and calcareous soils.
Native range
S. Europe. Possibly native but certainly established in Britain.