Classification
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Picris hieracioides L., Sp. Pl. 792 (1753)
Synonymy:
  • = Picris hieracioides var. glabrata Hook.f., Bot. Antarct. Voy. II. (Fl. Nov.-Zel.) Part I, 151 (1853)
Vernacular Name(s):
oxtongue
 Description

Biennial to perennial. Stem erect, branched above, grooved, 30–80 cm tall, with sparse to dense spreading bristly hairs each bearing 2 recurved barbs at apex. Lvs with spreading bristles, each bristle with 2 recurved barbs at apex. Basal lvs linear-oblanceolate, subentire to bluntly dentate, acute or subacute, 5–15 × 0.5–2 cm, tapered to short narrowly winged petiole. Stem lvs similar, the uppermost sessile, linear, subauriculate. Capitula numerous. Involucre 8–11 mm long; outer bracts linear-lanceolate, narrowly acute at apex, with short crisped hairs, bristly on midrib, c. ⅔ length of inner bracts; inner bracts similar. Corolla yellow, c. 11/2× length of involucre. Achenes fusiform, transversely wrinkled, red-brown, glabrous; body 3.5–5.5 mm long; beak very short or 0. Pappus dirty white, 2-rowed, the outer ciliolate, the inner plumose.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
 Phenology

Flowering: Dec.–Apr.; Fruiting: Dec.–Apr.

 Bibliography
Heenan, P.B.; de Lange, P.J.; Glenny, D.S.; Breitwieser, I.; Brownsey, P.J.; Ogle, C.C. 1999: Checklist of dicotyledons, gymnosperms, and pteridophytes naturalised or casual in New Zealand: additional records 1997–1998. New Zealand Journal of Botany 37(4): 629–642.
Hooker, J.D. 1852–1853 ("1853"): The Botany of the Antarctic Voyage of H.M. Discovery Ships Erebus and Terror in the Years 1839–1843, under the command of Captain Sir James Clark Ross. II. Flora Novae-Zelandiae. Part I. Flowering plants. Lovell Reeve, London.
Linnaeus, C. 1753: Species Plantarum. Impensis Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm.