# Rough Hawkbit

*Leontodon hispidus*

Its genus name Leontodon translates to 'lion's tooth', a nod to the deeply-toothed margins of its rough, hairy leaves.

- **Taxonomy:** Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Asterales › Asteraceae › Leontodon
- **IUCN Red List status:** Least Concern
- **Population trend:** stable
- **Biome:** grassland
- **Habitat:** Calcareous grasslands, meadows, pastures, and grassy road verges.
- **Diet:** Autotrophic (photosynthesis via sunlight, water, and soil nutrients).
- **Range:** Europe, Western Asia, North Africa, North America (introduced)
- **Size:** 10 to 60 cm tall, with flower heads 2.5 to 4 cm wide.
- **Lifespan:** 3 to 7 years (perennial)
- **Active:** diurnal
- **Threats:** Agricultural intensification, excessive fertilizer use, and loss of traditional hay meadows.
- **Safe to approach?:** Rough Hawkbit is completely harmless and safe to touch. It is non-toxic to humans and pets. You can safely appreciate this wildflower up close. No treatment is necessary upon contact.

## About

Leontodon hispidus is a species of hawkbit known by the common names bristly hawkbit and rough hawkbit . It is native to Europe but it can be found throughout North America as an introduced species.

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/5041a7a0-18bf-4c3d-9e5e-eef4861a3302
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/164501
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leontodon hispidus
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/52320792/medium.jpeg (Wolfgang Jauch, CC-BY, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.