Hedypnois, Cretan weed
Hedypnois rhagadioloides

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A low hairy annual herb. The stems are slender. They are spreading or curve upwards. They are branched. The leaves are narrowly oval and often broadest above the middle. They may or may not have teeth or lobes. The lower leaves often have wings. The upper leaves do not have stalks. The flower heads are dull golden yellow. They are 13-16 mm across and can occur singly or as several together. They are on thickened stalks, especially just below the flower heads. The florets have rays and the flower bracts are narrow. They curve inwards in the fruit.

Where it is found

It grows in subtropical and warm temperate places. It grows on dry waste or cultivated land and on sand-dunes. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, America, Australia, Europe, France, Greece, Italy, Libya, Mediterranean, North Africa, North America, Portugal, Sicily, Spain, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye

How it is used for food

The leaves at the base are eaten raw in salads.

Edible parts

Leaves, shoots

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Erva crachiola, Herba blanca, Mariula

Synonyms

Hedypnois cretica (L.) Dum.Cours.; Hedypnois polymorpha DC.; and others