Explore Reichardia picroides (Common Brighteyes) - its characteristics, habitat, cultivation, propagation, and functional uses and benefits.

Reichardia picroides | Botanical Characteristics
Common Names: Common Brighteyes, French Scorzonera
Family: Asteraceae
Appearance: A herbaceous perennial forming a basal rosette of bluish-green, spatulate leaves. The plant produces solitary yellow flowers on stems up to 45 cm tall.
Type: Perennial
Evergreen / Deciduous: N/A
Layer: Herb
Root System: Taproot
Height: Up to 0.5 meters
Width: Approximately 0.3 meters
Lifespan: Perennial
Growth Rate: Moderate
Fertility: Self-fertile
Flowers: Hermaphroditic
Pollinator: Attracts bees and other pollinating insects
Toxicity: Not considered toxic
Reichardia picroides | Habitat and Cultivation
Range
Native Range: Mediterranean region, including countries such as Turkey, Greece, Italy, Spain, and France
Companionship: Often found in cultivated soils and waste places
Invasive Range: Not reported as invasive
USDA Hardiness Zone: 7–10
Minimum Chill Hours Required: None specified
Resistance/Tolerance
Poor Soil: Moderate tolerance
Drought: Moderate tolerance
Shade: Low tolerance; prefers full sun
Flood: Low tolerance
Wind: Moderate tolerance
Maritime: Moderate tolerance
Air Pollution: Moderate tolerance
Fire: Low tolerance
Thriving Conditions
Sun Exposure: Prefers full sun
Soil Moisture: Prefers well-drained soils
Soil Type: Adaptable to sandy, loamy, and clay soils
Soil PH: Tolerates a range from acidic to alkaline soils
Propagation
Seeds: Easily propagated from seeds; plants will self-sow around the base
Cuttings: Not typically propagated by cuttings
Reichardia picroides | Functional Uses and Benefits
Edible: Young leaves are consumed raw or cooked in various Mediterranean cuisines, often used as a salad green or pot herb
Medicinal: Leaves possess antioxidant properties
Cosmetics: Not commonly used in cosmetics
Animal Feed: Not typically used for animal feed
Fiber: Not utilized for fiber
Timber: Not applicable
Firewood: Not applicable
Wind Break: Not suitable as a windbreak
Fence: Not used as a barrier plant
Cover Crop: Not used as a cover crop
Mulch: Not typically used as mulch
Nitrogen Fixer: No
Dynamic Accumulator: No significant data available
Pollinator Attractor: Flowers are attractive to bees and other pollinators
Pest Repellent: Not commonly noted as a pest repellent
Wildlife Supporter: Provides nectar for insects
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