Herb: Hawkweed Ox-Tongue


Latin name: Picris hieracioides


Family: Compositae



Medicinal use of Hawkweed Ox-Tongue:

The bitter leaves have been used as a febrifuge. The plant is mixed with Swertia pedicellata and pounded to a paste thn applied to the forehead to treat headaches.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Biennial/Perennial


Height:
90 cm
(2 feet)

Flowering:
July to
October

Habitat of the herb:

Grassland and waysides on calcareous soils.

Edible parts of Hawkweed Ox-Tongue:

Young leaves - raw or cooked as a pot-herb. Not wonderful raw, they are slightly better cooked. A rather bitter flavour.

Propagation of the herb:

Seed - sow spring in situ, only just covering the seed. Germination should take place quite quickly.

Cultivation of Hawkweed Ox-Tongue:

Grassland and waysides on calcareous soils.

Known hazards of Picris hieracioides:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.