Helminthotheca echioides - Bristly Oxtongue

This plant is an unusual weed of waste-ground in Lanarkshire. Apart from the horns on the leaves, the flowers have this distinctive collar of bracts.

It was formerly known as Picris echioides.

There is a similar plant becoming more common, Hawkweed Oxtongue Picris hieracioides.

Helminthotheca echioides NS6662 23Jul2020 PW

Showing the collar of spiny bracts below the flower.

Picris echioides NS6162 20Oct17 PW

Helminthotheca echioides NS6662 23Jul2020 PW

Picris echioides NS6062 25Sep2017 MP

Picris echioides NS6162 20Oct17 PW

Helminthotheca echioides NS6662 23Jul2020 PW

The leaves are also distinctive with the prickles and horns.

Picris echioides NS6162 20Oct17 PW