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Broad-leaved Cudweed

Filago pyramidata

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.
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Contents

Plant Profile

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 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 Hawkbit, 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, Treasureflower, Trifid Bur-marigold, Tuberous Thistle, Tyneside Leopardplant, Viper's Grass, Wall Lettuce, Welsh Groundsel, Welted Thistle, White African Daisy, 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:
Annual
Maximum Size:
30 centimetres tall
Habitats:
Fields, grassland, meadows, woodland.

Flower:
֍
Yellow, no petals
 
The tiny flowers appear in compact clusters of 8 to 20. The often curved bracts are tipped reddish.
Fruit:
The fruit is an achene with a pappus of hairs at one end. About 3mm long.
Leaves:
Foliage is silvery-green with woolly hairs. The leaves are oblong to spoon-shaped, being narrowest at the tip. Within the British Isles, Broad-leaved Cudweed is most likely to be found in quarries and arable fields in south-east England.
Other Names:
Broadleaf Cottonrose, Common Cottonrose, Pyramid Filago.
Frequency (UK):
Rarely seen  

Similar Species

Other Information

Summary

Filago pyramidata, also known as common cottonrose or pyramid filago, is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family. It is native to Europe and Asia, and it is found in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, meadows, and open woodlands. Like Filago gallica, Filago pyramidata is a small herbaceous plant with a woody base and small, yellow flowers that resemble daisies. It is often found growing in dry, gravelly or rocky soils. In traditional medicine, Filago pyramidata has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including respiratory problems, digestive issues, and skin irritation. However, there is little scientific evidence to support these uses.

Blog

Broad-leaved Cudweed (Filago pyramidata) is a type of flowering plant that belongs to the daisy family, Asteraceae. It is a native species in Europe and Asia, but has also been introduced in several other regions, including North America. Broad-leaved Cudweed is a versatile plant that can grow in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, woodlands, meadows, and wastelands. It is a great choice for gardeners who want to add a touch of natural beauty to their landscape, and it is also a valuable source of food for many species of wildlife.

One of the most distinctive features of Broad-leaved Cudweed is its tiny, yellow-orange flowers that grow in clusters at the top of the plant. These flowers bloom from June to September and are an important source of nectar for bees and other pollinators. The plant's leaves are narrow and oval-shaped, and they grow in an alternate arrangement along the stem. Broad-leaved Cudweed's leaves are also covered in tiny hairs that give them a grayish-green appearance.

Another unique characteristic of Broad-leaved Cudweed is its ability to form a ball-like shape, or "cud," at the top of the plant. This ball is made up of several flowers and seeds that are held together by the plant's sticky leaves. This ball-like structure is an adaptation that helps to protect the plant's seeds from being eaten by herbivores and also makes it easier for the seeds to be dispersed by the wind.

In addition to its ornamental value, Broad-leaved Cudweed is also known for its medicinal properties. The plant has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments, including coughs, colds, and other respiratory problems. The plant's leaves and flowers contain several active compounds, including flavonoids, triterpenoids, and essential oils, that are believed to have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties.

Cultivating Broad-leaved Cudweed in your garden is relatively easy, as it is a low-maintenance plant that is resistant to most pests and diseases. The plant prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade, and it can grow in a variety of soil types, including clay, sand, and loam. If you're looking to add a touch of natural beauty to your garden, or if you're interested in growing a plant with a rich history of medicinal uses, consider adding Broad-leaved Cudweed to your collection.

Broad-leaved Cudweed is a versatile and attractive plant that offers a range of benefits to gardeners and wildlife alike. Its tiny yellow-orange flowers, unique cud-like structure, and medicinal properties make it a great choice for any landscape or garden.

Another interesting aspect of Broad-leaved Cudweed is its habitat. As mentioned earlier, this plant is a native species in Europe and Asia and can grow in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, woodlands, meadows, and wastelands. In its natural habitat, Broad-leaved Cudweed often grows in dense clusters, providing important shelter and food sources for many species of wildlife.

In particular, the plant provides a valuable source of nectar for pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and moths. These pollinators are essential for maintaining the health and diversity of the ecosystem, as they help to pollinate other plants and support the food chain.

Moreover, the seeds of Broad-leaved Cudweed are an important food source for many species of birds, such as goldfinches and sparrows. These birds help to disperse the plant's seeds to other areas, ensuring its continued survival and spread.

Aside from its ecological benefits, Broad-leaved Cudweed is also a popular choice for landscaping and gardening. Its low-growing habit, attractive yellow-orange flowers, and grayish-green leaves make it a great choice for rock gardens, wildflower meadows, and as an understory plant in wooded areas. It is also well-suited for planting in containers or along walkways, where its unique cud-like structure can be easily appreciated.

In addition to its ornamental value, Broad-leaved Cudweed is also valued for its medicinal properties. The plant's leaves and flowers contain several active compounds, including flavonoids, triterpenoids, and essential oils, that are believed to have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties. As a result, the plant has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments, including coughs, colds, and other respiratory problems.

Broad-leaved Cudweed is a versatile and attractive plant that offers a range of benefits to gardeners, wildlife, and the ecosystem as a whole. Whether you're looking to add a touch of natural beauty to your garden, support the health of pollinators, or benefit from its medicinal properties, Broad-leaved Cudweed is a great choice.

In addition to its ornamental and medicinal properties, Broad-leaved Cudweed has a rich cultural history as well. For centuries, this plant has been used in traditional medicine and folklore throughout Europe and Asia. In some cultures, it was believed to have spiritual and magical properties, and was often used in rituals and spells.

In traditional medicine, the plant was used to treat a variety of ailments, including respiratory problems, digestive issues, and skin conditions. The plant's leaves and flowers were often dried and used to make teas, tinctures, and poultices. In some cultures, the plant was also used as a soothing agent for headaches, nervousness, and insomnia.

Today, Broad-leaved Cudweed is still used in traditional medicine, and its medicinal properties are being explored by modern science. Research has shown that the plant contains several active compounds that have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties. Additionally, the plant is also being studied for its potential in the treatment of respiratory problems, digestive issues, and skin conditions.

Aside from its medicinal uses, Broad-leaved Cudweed is also an important species for wildflower enthusiasts and nature lovers. It is a great choice for creating wildflower meadows and is often used in restoration projects to help re-establish native plant species in degraded habitats.

In conclusion, Broad-leaved Cudweed is a versatile and valuable plant that offers a range of benefits to humans, wildlife, and the ecosystem. Whether you're interested in its ornamental, medicinal, or cultural properties, Broad-leaved Cudweed is a great choice for anyone who wants to add a touch of natural beauty to their life. So why not explore the many benefits of this amazing plant today!


Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

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