Urospermum, False dandelion
Urospermum dalechampii

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A low herb which keeps growing from year to year. The leaves at the base are divided into lobes along the stalk. The lobes point backwards. The leaves on the stem are oval or sword shaped. They clasp the stem and the upper leaves are opposite. The flower heads are yellow and often they have a black centre. They are 35-50 mm across and occur singly. The florets are all rayed. The outer florets have a reddish-brown underneath. The flower bracts are sword shaped and softly hairy. The achenes have long beaks. The fruit are 13-19 mm long.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows on fallow land and waste ground. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Europe, France, Greece, Italy, Mediterranean, Sicily, Spain, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The leaves are boiled in mixtures.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Cento coglioni, Cicoria sarvaggia, Cicuriune gentile, Cicuriune riccio, Cuosti i porci, Russeddha

Synonyms

Tragopogon dalechampii L.; and others