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Rough Hawkbit

Leontodon hispidus

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
For more information please download the BSBI Code of Conduct PDF document.

Plant Profile
Similar Species
Other Information
Distribution Map

Flowering Months:

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Order:

Asterales

Family:

Asteraceae (Daisy)

Also in this family:

Alpine Blue Sow-thistle, Alpine Cotula, Alpine Fleabane, Alpine Saw-wort, Annual Ragweed, Annual Sunflower, Argentine Fleabane, Autumn Hawkbit, Autumn Oxeye, Beaked Hawksbeard, Beggarticks, Bilbao Fleabane, Black Knapweed, Black-eyed Susan, Blanketflower, Blue Fleabane, Blue Globe-thistle, Bristly Oxtongue, Broad-leaved Cudweed, Broad-leaved Ragwort, Brown Knapweed, Butterbur, Buttonweed, Cabbage Thistle, Canadian Fleabane, Canadian Goldenrod, Carline Thistle, Chalk Knapweed, Chamois Ragwort, Changing Michaelmas Daisy, Chicory, Chinese Mugwort, Chinese Ragwort, Coltsfoot, Common Blue Sow-thistle, Common Cat's-ear, Common Cudweed, Common Daisy, Common Dandelion, Common Fleabane, Common Goldenrod, Common Groundsel, Common Michaelmas Daisy, Common Mugwort, Common Ragwort, Common Wormwood, Coneflower, Confused Michaelmas Daisy, Corn Chamomile, Corn Marigold, Cornflower, Cotton Thistle, Cottonweed, Creeping Thistle, Daisy Bush, Dwarf Cudweed, Dwarf Thistle, Early Goldenrod, Eastern Groundsel, Eastern Leopardsbane, Elecampane, English Hawkweed, Fen Ragwort, Feverfew, Field Fleawort, Field Wormwood, Fox and Cubs, French Tarragon, Gallant Soldier, Garden Lettuce, Giant Butterbur, Glabrous-headed Hawkweed, Glandular Globe-thistle, Glaucous Michaelmas Daisy, Globe Artichoke, Globe-thistle, Goat's Beard, Golden Ragwort, Golden Samphire, Goldilocks Aster, Grass-leaved Goldenrod, Great Lettuce, Greater Burdock, Greater Knapweed, Grey-headed Hawkweed, Guernsey Fleabane, Hairless Blue Sow-thistle, Hairless Leptinella, Hairy Michaelmas Daisy, Harpur Crewe's Leopardsbane, Hawkweed Oxtongue, Heath Cudweed, Heath Groundsel, Hemp Agrimony, Highland Cudweed, Hoary Mugwort, Hoary Ragwort, Hybrid Knapweed, Intermediate Burdock, Irish Fleabane, Jersey Cudweed, Jerusalem Artichoke, Lance-leaved Hawkweed, Lavender-cotton, Leafless Hawksbeard, Least Lettuce, Leopardplant, Leopardsbane, Leptinella, Lesser Burdock, Lesser Hawkbit, Lesser Sunflower, London Bur-marigold, Magellan Ragwort, Marsh Cudweed, Marsh Hawksbeard, Marsh Ragwort, Marsh Sow-thistle, Marsh Thistle, Meadow Thistle, Melancholy Thistle, Mexican Fleabane, Milk Thistle, Mountain Everlasting, Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Musk Thistle, Narrow-leaved Cudweed, Narrow-leaved Hawkweed, Narrow-leaved Michaelmas Daisy, Narrow-leaved Ragwort, New England Hawkweed, New Zealand Holly, Nipplewort, Nodding Bur-marigold, Northern Hawksbeard, Norwegian Mugwort, Oxeye Daisy, Oxford Ragwort, Pearly Everlasting, Perennial Cornflower, Perennial Ragweed, Perennial Sow-thistle, Perennial Sunflower, Pineapple Mayweed, Plantain-leaved Leopardsbane, Ploughman's Spikenard, Plymouth Thistle, Pontic Blue Sow-thistle, Pot Marigold, Prickly Lettuce, Prickly Sow-thistle, Purple Coltsfoot, Rayed Tansy, Red Star Thistle, Red-seeded Dandelion, Red-tipped Cudweed, Robin's Plantain, Roman Chamomile, Rough Cocklebur, Rough Hawksbeard, Russian Lettuce, Safflower, Salsify, Saw-wort, Scented Mayweed, Scentless Mayweed, Sea Aster, Sea Mayweed, Sea Wormwood, Seaside Daisy, Shaggy Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Shaggy Soldier, Shasta Daisy, Shetland Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Shrub Ragwort, Sicilian Chamomile, Silver Ragwort, Slender Mugwort, Slender Thistle, Small Cudweed, Small Fleabane, Smooth Cat's-ear, Smooth Hawksbeard, Smooth Sow-thistle, Sneezeweed, Sneezewort, Spear Thistle, Spotted Cat's-ear, Spotted Hawkweed, Sticky Groundsel, Stinking Chamomile, Stinking Hawksbeard, Tall Fleabane, Tall Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Tansy, Thin-leaved Sunflower, Trifid Bur-marigold, Tuberous Thistle, Tyneside Leopardplant, Viper's Grass, Wall Lettuce, Welsh Groundsel, Welted Thistle, White Butterbur, White Buttons, Willdenow's Leopardsbane, Winter Heliotrope, Wood Burdock, Wood Ragwort, Woody Fleabane, Woolly Thistle, Yarrow, Yellow Chamomile, Yellow Fox and Cubs, Yellow Oxeye, Yellow Star Thistle, Yellow Thistle, York Groundsel

Type:

Flower

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Maximum Size:

50 centimetres tall

Habitats:

Fields, gardens, grassland, heathland, meadows, mountains, roadsides, sand dunes, scrub, seaside, towns, wasteland.

Flower:

Yellow, many petals

Golden yellow, dandelion-like flowers, up to 4cm across. Each long, erect flower stalk bears a single flower. The outer florets are often tinged red on their undersides, especially near to their tips.

Fruit:

The fruit of Rough Hawkbit, a member of the dandelion family, consists of small, round achenes. These achenes are equipped with a pappus, enabling them to disperse easily in the wind. The seeds are typically small and brown, contained within the fluffy tufted structure, aiding in their distribution across landscapes.

Leaves:

The long leaves form a basal rosette and are lobed and very hairy. The lobes are blunt and large. The stems are also very hairy.

Aroma:

Rough Hawkbit, a wildflower belonging to the dandelion family, doesn't possess a distinct or noticeable fragrance. It is primarily appreciated for its visual charm and ecological contribution rather than for any significant scent or fragrance.

Other Names:

Bristly Hawkbit.

Frequency (UK):

Occasionally seen

Autumn Hawkbit

Lesser Hawkbit

Summary

Leontodon hispidus, also known as rough hawkbit, is a species of perennial herb in the Asteraceae family. It is native to Europe, Asia and North Africa and is typically found in grassland habitats such as meadows, pastures, and roadsides. It has a rosette of basal leaves and produces a tall stem with small, yellow composite flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. The flowers are arranged in a dense, cylindrical head, and the fruit is an achene. The plant is hardy and easy to grow, it can tolerate poor soils and dry conditions. It is not commonly cultivated, but it is sometimes used as an ornamental plant. The stem and leaves of the plant are covered in fine white hair giving it a hairy appearance.

Blog

Rough Hawkbit, also known by its scientific name Leontodon hispidus, is a plant species belonging to the Asteraceae family. It is a perennial herb that grows up to 50 cm in height and is commonly found in meadows, grasslands, and along roadsides throughout Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. In this blog, we will delve into the fascinating world of the Rough Hawkbit, exploring its physical characteristics, habitat, ecological importance, and traditional medicinal uses.

Physical Characteristics

The Rough Hawkbit has a rosette of leaves at the base of its stem, which can grow up to 20 cm in length. The leaves are deeply toothed and hairy, giving them a rough texture, which is where the plant gets its common name. The stem of the Rough Hawkbit is slender and hairy, and it produces a single yellow flowerhead that blooms from June to September. The flowerhead of the Rough Hawkbit consists of several yellow, ray-like petals surrounding a central cluster of disc florets. After blooming, the flowerhead produces seeds that are dispersed by wind.

Habitat

The Rough Hawkbit is a hardy plant that can grow in a variety of habitats, including meadows, pastures, and grasslands. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate both full sun and partial shade. Rough Hawkbit is commonly found in Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia and can grow at elevations of up to 2,500 meters above sea level.

Ecological Importance

The Rough Hawkbit plays an important role in the ecosystem as a source of food and shelter for many species of insects and birds. The plant's flowers provide a source of nectar for pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, while the seeds are a food source for birds such as goldfinches and sparrows. Additionally, the Rough Hawkbit is a host plant for several species of moths, including the Orange Moth and the Cinnabar Moth.

Traditional Medicinal Uses

The Rough Hawkbit has a long history of use in traditional medicine. The plant's roots and leaves were used in the treatment of a range of ailments, including digestive disorders, respiratory infections, and skin conditions. In folk medicine, the Rough Hawkbit was also used as a diuretic and as a remedy for jaundice and rheumatism. Modern studies have shown that Rough Hawkbit has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which may explain its traditional use in treating skin conditions.

In conclusion, the Rough Hawkbit is a fascinating plant species with many ecological and medicinal benefits. Its rough-textured leaves and bright yellow flowers make it an attractive addition to meadows and grasslands, while its role as a food source for insects and birds make it an important part of the ecosystem. As we continue to study this plant, we may uncover even more benefits and uses for this remarkable species.

Facts about Rough Hawkbit

Here are some additional interesting facts about Rough Hawkbit:

The name "hawkbit" comes from the belief that the plant's leaves and stems were used by falconers to feed their hawks.
The Rough Hawkbit is sometimes confused with the Common Hawkbit (Leontodon autumnalis), another yellow-flowered plant in the Asteraceae family. However, the Common Hawkbit has a smoother texture on its leaves and stem and blooms earlier in the season.
In addition to its traditional medicinal uses, the Rough Hawkbit has also been used in cosmetics and skincare products. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it an effective ingredient in products designed to soothe and heal the skin.
Rough Hawkbit has been used in traditional Chinese medicine as a remedy for liver and gallbladder disorders. It is believed to have a detoxifying effect on these organs, helping to clear toxins from the body.
The Rough Hawkbit is a natural source of inulin, a type of dietary fiber that is known to have prebiotic properties. Inulin is also a common ingredient in many health and wellness products, including dietary supplements and probiotics.

In summary, the Rough Hawkbit is a versatile and fascinating plant species that has a wide range of uses and benefits. From its traditional medicinal uses to its role in the ecosystem, the Rough Hawkbit is a valuable and important part of our natural world. Whether you are a fan of wildflowers, interested in herbal medicine, or simply curious about the natural world around you, the Rough Hawkbit is definitely worth learning more about.

More Information about Rough Hawkbit

Rough Hawkbit, also known as Leontodon hispidus, is a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia and can grow up to 50 cm in height. Rough Hawkbit is commonly found in meadows, grasslands, and along roadsides and is characterized by its rough-textured leaves and yellow flowerheads.

In traditional medicine, the Rough Hawkbit has been used to treat a range of ailments, including digestive disorders, respiratory infections, and skin conditions. Modern studies have shown that Rough Hawkbit has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which may explain its traditional use in treating skin conditions. It has also been used in traditional Chinese medicine as a remedy for liver and gallbladder disorders.

Rough Hawkbit has inulin, a type of dietary fiber known to have prebiotic properties, and is sometimes used in cosmetics and skincare products because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

The Rough Hawkbit is sometimes confused with the Common Hawkbit, which is another yellow-flowered plant in the Asteraceae family. However, the Common Hawkbit has a smoother texture on its leaves and stem and blooms earlier in the season.

In conclusion, the Rough Hawkbit is an important and fascinating plant species with many ecological and medicinal benefits. Its rough texture, yellow flowers, and versatility make it a valuable part of meadows and grasslands, while its uses in traditional medicine and skincare products highlight its health benefits. The Rough Hawkbit's contributions to the ecosystem and human health make it a valuable plant species worth learning more about.

Videos

Video 1: Rough Hawkbit filmed at Scout Scar, Cumbria on the 16th July 2022.

Music credits
I Found an Answer by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/

Video 2: Rough Hawbit at Formby Sand Dunes on the 25th September 2020.

Music credits
Prelude No. 21 by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://chriszabriskie.com/preludes/
Artist: http://chriszabriskie.com/

Video 3: Rough Hawkbit filmed at Scout Scar in Cumbria on the 26th May 2023.

Video 4: Rough Hawkbit filmed at Sandscale Haws National Nature Reserve on the 9th July 2023.

EDIT: Video 4 contains other species too such as Hawksbeard (Genus: Crepis) at 2:07, Cat's-ear (Genus: Hypochaeris) at 3:24 and 3:47, and some Lesser Hawkbit.

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Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

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Rough Hawkbit

Contents

Plant Profile

Similar Species

Other Information