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Plantain-leaved Leopardsbane

Doronicum plantagineum

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 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, 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:
Perennial
Maximum Size:
60 centimetres tall
Habitats:
Gardens, parks, rocky places, seaside, towns, wasteland, woodland.

Flower:
֍
Yellow, many petals
 
Large, yellow, daisy-like flowers, 5 to 8cm across in diameter. The flowers are larger than those of the similar looking Leopardsbane (Doronicum pardalianches).
Fruit:
The fruit is an achene (seed) with a plume of hairs at one end.
Leaves:
The leaves are dark green, toothed and broadly lance-shaped to hear-shaped. The undersides of the leaves are paler. Similar to Leopardsbane (Doronicum pardalianches) but with pointed leaves and gradually narrowing to the base.
Other Names:
Plantain False Leopardsbane.
Frequency (UK):
Unusual  

Similar Species

Other Information

Summary

Doronicum plantagineum, also known as leopard's bane or plantain leaved leopard's bane is a species of perennial herbaceous plant in the Asteraceae family. It is native to Europe and Asia. The plant has large, glossy, dark green leaves and produces spikes of yellow, daisy-like flowers in the spring. The flowers are held on tall stalks, usually about 30-60 cm tall. The leaves are large, basal, and glossy and resemble those of the plantain herb. It prefers moist, humus-rich soil, and shaded or partially shaded locations. It is often used in perennial borders, woodland gardens, and rock gardens. It is also used as a cut flower and in dried flower arrangements. It is tolerant of drought and can be grown in a wide range of soil types, and it is also tolerant of coastal conditions and pollution making it suitable for planting in urban areas.

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Plantain-leaved Leopardsbane, also known as Doronicum plantagineum, is a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. Native to Europe and Asia, this plant is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in gardens due to its attractive yellow flowers and easy maintenance.

The plant grows up to 60 cm in height, with a basal rosette of leaves that are large, oval-shaped, and have toothed margins. The stem is erect and has several branches that support the flower heads. The flowers are bright yellow, daisy-like, and bloom in spring or early summer. The fruit is an achene, which is a small, dry, one-seeded fruit that does not open at maturity.

Plantain-leaved Leopardsbane is a hardy plant that prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial shade. It can grow in full sun but may require more frequent watering in such conditions. This plant can tolerate a wide range of soil pH, from acidic to alkaline. It is also tolerant of frost and can survive harsh winter conditions.

The plant has several medicinal uses. The roots of the plant are used to treat fevers, while the leaves are used to treat wounds and bruises. The plant contains several chemical compounds, including flavonoids, tannins, and sesquiterpenes, which are believed to be responsible for its medicinal properties.

In addition to its medicinal properties, Plantain-leaved Leopardsbane is also used in the cosmetic industry. The plant extract is used in skincare products as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent. It is believed to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin elasticity.

Plantain-leaved Leopardsbane has a rich history of use in traditional medicine. It was commonly used in ancient Greece and Rome to treat wounds, fevers, and digestive disorders. In medieval Europe, it was also used as a cure for the bubonic plague.

Today, Plantain-leaved Leopardsbane is still used in herbal medicine to treat various conditions, including respiratory infections, digestive disorders, and skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. It is also believed to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, making it useful for treating arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.

Aside from its medicinal and cosmetic uses, Plantain-leaved Leopardsbane has cultural significance in some regions. In Japan, it is known as "sakura sō" or "cherry blossom plant" because its yellow flowers bloom around the same time as the cherry blossoms. It is also a symbol of spring and renewal.

It is important to note that although Plantain-leaved Leopardsbane has many potential health benefits, it can also be toxic if consumed in large quantities. The plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can cause liver damage if ingested. As with any herbal remedy, it is important to consult a healthcare professional before using Plantain-leaved Leopardsbane for medicinal purposes.

Plantain-leaved Leopardsbane is also an important source of food for some species of insects and birds. Its flowers are attractive to bees and other pollinators, while its leaves provide food for caterpillars of the Duke of Burgundy butterfly. The plant is also a favorite of goldfinches, who feed on its seeds in the fall and winter.

In addition to its ecological benefits, Plantain-leaved Leopardsbane has been used in horticulture to develop cultivars with different flower colors, such as white, pink, and orange. These cultivars have become popular among gardeners for their aesthetic appeal and ability to attract pollinators to the garden.

Plantain-leaved Leopardsbane is also an excellent plant for naturalizing in meadows and wildflower gardens. It can be grown from seed and will readily self-seed, forming a dense clump of plants over time. Its hardiness and low maintenance requirements make it an excellent choice for gardeners who want to create a naturalistic garden that requires minimal upkeep.

In conclusion, Plantain-leaved Leopardsbane is a versatile and valuable plant with many uses in traditional medicine, cosmetics, horticulture, and ecology. Its bright yellow flowers, low maintenance requirements, and ability to attract pollinators and other wildlife make it an excellent addition to any garden. However, caution should be taken when using this plant for medicinal purposes, and it should be grown in moderation to prevent it from becoming invasive.


Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

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