Pilosella officinarum

'Mouse-Ear Hawkweed'

[Ex. Co. Durham, England]

(Syn. Hieracium pilosella)

Asteraceae: a variable, hairy perennial to 25cm, with creeping runners and often forms mats. Found in a wide range of dry, grassy places, from meadows to heaths. The flowers are 2-3cm across, with pale yellow florets, blooming from May-October. The seeds have hairy pappus and form small white ‘clocks’. The leaves are spoon shaped, green and hairy, in a basal rosette. Widespread and common throughout the British Isles.

USES:

Mouse-ear hawkweed relaxes the muscles of the bronchial tubes, stimulates the cough reflex and reduces the production of catarrh. This combination of actions makes the herb effective against all manner of respiratory problems including asthma, wheeziness, whooping cough, bronchitis and other congested and chronic coughs. The herb has mildly astringent, cholagogue, diaphoretic, strongly diuretic, expectorant and tonic properties.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Surface sow seeds spring. when they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. If you have sufficient seed it can be sown outdoors in situ in the spring or autumn. Succeeds in a sunny position in any well-drained soil, prefers a well-drained to dry poor soil in sun or partial shade. A common lawn plant, it is also a good bee and butterfly plant. It grows well on the top of dry walls. Very easy.

HARVESTED: 2018

APPROX, 100 SEEDS