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Reichardia picroides - Common Brighteyes

Updated: 2 days ago

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

Reichardia picroides - Common Brighteyes, French Scorzonera

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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