We depend on donations from users of our database of over 8000 edible and useful plants to keep making it available free of charge and to further extend and improve it. In recent months donations are down, and we are spending more than we receive. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Pilosella officinarum - F.W.Schultz.&Sch.Bip.

Common Name Mouse-Ear Hawkweed
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Upland pastures, meadows, heaths, banks, on walls etc, usually on dry soil[7, 9, 13]. It is also found as a weed of lawns[1].
Range Temperate and subarctic Europe, including Britain, to W. Asia.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Pilosella officinarum Mouse-Ear Hawkweed


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pilosella_officinarum_gr%C3%A5fibbla.jpg
Pilosella officinarum Mouse-Ear Hawkweed
www.geograph.org.uk

 

Translate this page:

Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Pilosella officinarum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Pilosella officinarum.

Plant Habitats

 Lawn; Meadow; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent  Cholagogue  Diaphoretic  Diuretic  Expectorant  Tonic

Mouse-ear hawkweed relaxes the muscles of the bronchial tubes, stimulates the cough reflex and reduces the production of catarrh[254]. This combination of actions makes the herb effective against all manner of respiratory problems including asthma, wheeziness, whooping cough, bronchitis and other congested and chronic coughs[254]. The herb is mildly astringent, cholagogue, diaphoretic, strongly diuretic, expectorant and tonic[4, 7, 9, 21, 165]. The fresh plant is antibiotic[7]. The plant has been regarded as a specific for whooping cough[4] and is also used in treating other problems of the respiratory system such as asthma, bronchitis and influenza[238]. The herb is also taken in the treatment of enteritis, influenza, pyelitis and cystitis[9]. It is occasionally used externally in the treatment of small wounds and cuts[7].The plant is harvested in May and June whilst in flower and can be used fresh or dried[4, 238].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Tropical Plants

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

More
Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Temperate Plants

Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

More
PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital media.
More Books

PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.

Shop Now

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in a sunny position in any well-drained soil[200]. Prefers a well-drained to dry poor soil in sun or partial shade[238]. A common lawn plant[1], it is also a good bee and butterfly plant[108, 200]. It grows well on the top of dry walls[200]. A strongly stoloniferous plant, it can be very invasive[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

Shop Now

Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. If you have sufficient seed it can be sown outdoors in situ in the spring or autumn[238]. Division in spring or autumn[238]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Print Friendly and PDF

Expert comment

Author

F.W.Schultz.&Sch.Bip.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Roger B Hutchins   Fri Jun 22 2007

I have recently found an Hierecium in Tavistock England which I have identified as "Hieracium piloselloides"I can find no record of this plant in the British lists, but it seems to be an invasive weed in North America.It is also called the Tall Hawkweed. Do you have any information about this plant. I have photos.

   Sat Aug 29 2009

This is also an invasive weed!

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Pilosella officinarum  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.