UK Flowers: Herbs, Shrubs, Vines & Trees
UK Flowers

UK Hawkweed Oxtongue

Herb Icon Naturalized Flower     Edible Symbol  Mildly Toxic
Image of Hawkweed Oxtongue
Picris hieracioides
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Properties

Property Value
English Name Hawkweed Oxtongue
Scientific Name Picris hieracioides
MainColor Yellow
PlantType Herb Icon Herb
Distribution Naturalized Flower Naturalized
Season Found July (Jul - Oct)
ImageUrl Picris-001
Photographer DP
Location Found Abbots Langley
Country Found UK
Last Updated 12 September 2026
Photo Quality A

Flower Details

Description

Hawkweed Oxtongue is a biennial or perennial herb with erect, branched stems that can grow up to 1 metre tall. It has yellow dandelion-like flowers and rough, hairy leaves that resemble those of a hawkweed. The plant typically blooms from July to September.

Distribution

It is native to Europe and parts of Asia, but has spread to North America and other regions as an introduced species. It prefers dry, sandy soils and is often found in grasslands, roadsides, and disturbed areas.

Medicinal/Other Uses

— No significant medicinal uses.

Edibility Edible Symbol  

Caution Advised - the plant is not commonly consumed and may contain compounds that are mildly irritating.

Human Toxicity Mildly Toxic
Mildly Toxic Mildly_Toxic

Mildly Toxic - contact with the plant may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Pet Toxicity Pet Toxicity

Non Toxic - generally considered safe for pets, with no known toxic effects.

Active Compounds

Sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids, tannins.

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