Ox Tongue - introduced (*Helminotheca echioides )

Other names: Picris echioides.

Family: Asteraceae (Daisy family).

Native of Europe, Asia and Africa.

It is an environmental weed.

Occurrence: Scattered and generally uncommon in Central Victoria. It may be locally abundant, particularly where there is added moisture.

Identification:

• it is usually an erect plant with a stout stem
• the leaves, the leaves (the bracts) around the flowers, and the stems have stiff prickly hairs
• the flowers are yellow and resemble a dandelion flower.

Similar species: Sow Thistles are also prickly members of the daisy family. They have stalked flowers which do not have prickles or hairs.

Photos 1: Ox Tongue. Campbelltown. 2: Happy Valley, Castlemaine. 3: Streamside plant. Kilmore.