This tall member of the Asteraceae family, bristly oxtongue, or Helminthotheca echioides, is often found along roadsides and other wasted spaces. It is known as oxtongue because its leaves feel like an ox’s tongue. This short-lived perennial is not registered as toxic but is not known to be edible, either.
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Annual, Biennial
Lifespan
Herb
Plant Type
Summer, Early fall, Mid fall
Bloom Time
Spring, Early summer, Mid summer
Harvest Time
90 cm
Plant Height
40 cm
Spread
Yellow, Pink, Red
Flower Color
Winter dormancy
Dormancy
Deciduous
Leaf type
20 - 35 ℃
Ideal Temperature
On This Page
Images
Distribution
Weed Control
Care Guide
FAQs
Images of Bristly oxtongue
Distribution of Bristly oxtongue
Distribution Map
Bristly oxtongue is a plant with a native range encompassing the Mediterranean Basin, extending into regions of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It has been introduced to various continents such as South America, Africa, parts of Northern Europe, and Oceania. Its presence has been recorded in both temperate and subtropical zones, where it has established itself in a number of locales.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Introduced
No species reported
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Habitat
Wasteland, pasture, urban areas, forest margins, coastal to montane
Hemisphere Trend Curve
Northern
Sorthern
Weed Control
Bristly oxtongue is originally from regions of Europe, including the Mediterranean area. It's typically considered a weed due to its aggressive nature. Like many weeds, bristly oxtongue has high reproduction ability - each plant has the potential to produce up to 4000 seeds, facilitating its rapid spread. This plant's hardiness and adaptability to various soil and weather conditions contribute to its weedy characteristics. Particularly harmful to gardens, bristly oxtongue can overgrow and suppress other plants due to its fast growth and expansive root system. Its bristly leaves can also inhibit the growth of adjacent plants by reducing their access to sunlight. Bristly oxtongue spreads primarily through its seeds. When mature, the seeds are dispersed by wind or can hitch a ride on animals and human clothing, ensuring its far-reaching propagation.
How to Control It
The best season to remove the bristly oxtongue plant is in late spring or early summer, before the plant has a chance to go to seed. Here are a few organic or interesting methods you can use for removal or control:
Hand Pulling: The first method of controlling bristly oxtongue is as simple as it gets - pulling it out by hand. Select a dry, sunny day and grasp the plant as close to the ground as possible, ensuring you pull up as much of the root as possible.
Smothering: Another organic method of control is smothering the bristly oxtongue plant. This can be done by spreading a thick layer of mulch over the area where the weed is growing, depriving it of light and nutrients.
Solarization: This involves covering the area with clear plastic sheeting during the hot summer months. The heat from the sun is trapped under the plastic, effectively 'cooking' the bristly oxtongue plants and greatly reducing their numbers.
Mechanical Control: If the infestation is large, you could use a rototiller or shovel to turn over the soil and uproot the bristly oxtongue plants.
Natural methods: Finally, using natural methods such as introducing beneficial insects or animals that eat the bristly oxtongue
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Care Guide for Bristly oxtongue
Every week
Water
Full sun
Sunlight
20 - 35 ℃
Ideal Temperature
Water:
Bristly oxtongue thrives in moist conditions, needing consistent hydration. It prefers evenly moist soil, requiring weekly watering to support lush growth. While it benefits from natural rainfall in temperate climates, additional water is necessary during dry spells to maintain healthy foliage and vigorous flowering.
Propagation:
Bristly oxtongue is a hardy perennial weed featuring bristle-covered foliage and yellow daisy-like flowers. Propagation is best done by collecting dried seeds, sowing them in well-drained soil, and maintaining consistent moisture. Its vigorous self-seeding allows bristly oxtongue to establish easily in suitable gardens.
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