Leontodon

 ( Asteraceae Genera ) 

Leontodon is a genus of plants in the tribe Cichorieae within the family Asteraceae, commonly known as hawkbits.

Their English language name derives from the Middle Ages belief that ate the plant to improve their eyesight. Although originally only native to Eurasia and North Africa, some species have since become established in other countries, including the United States and New Zealand.

Recent research has shown that the genus Leontodon in the traditional delimitation is polyphyly. Therefore, the former Leontodon subgenus Oporinia was raised to genus. According to the nomenclatural rules the name Scorzoneroides has priority at generic level and therefore, the members of Leontodon subgenus Oporinia were transferred to the re-erected genus Scorzoneroides.

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Ecology Seeds of Leontodon species are an important food source for certain bird species.

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Uses In Crete, the roots of the species Leontodon tuberosus are eaten raw and its leaves are eaten steaming.

(2025). 9789606311796, Rethymnon Crete. ISBN 9789606311796

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Secondary metabolites The genus Leontodon s.str. (i.e. excluding the members of the resurrected genus Scorzoneroides) is a rich source of hypocretenolides, unique guaiane type sesquiterpene lactones with a 12,5-lactone ring instead of the usual 12,6 lactone ring.

Phenolics found in Leontodon species include luteolin type flavonoids and caffeoyl quinic acid derivatives such as chlorogenic acid and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid. Moreover, Leontodon species contain the caffeoyl tartaric acid derivatives caffeoyl tartaric acid and cichoric acid.

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Species The following species are recognised in the genus Leontodon:

• Leontodon albanicus
• Leontodon anomalus
• Leontodon apulus
• Leontodon asperrimus
• Leontodon balansae
• Leontodon berinii
• Leontodon biscutellifolius
• Leontodon boryi
• Leontodon bourgaeanus
• Leontodon caroliaedoi
• Leontodon × carreiroi
• Leontodon caucasicus
• Leontodon crispus
• Leontodon djurdjurae
• Leontodon dubius
• Leontodon eriopodus
• Leontodon farinosus
• Leontodon filii
• Leontodon × friasi
• Leontodon graecus
• Leontodon × grassiorum
• Leontodon hellenicus
• Leontodon hirtus
• Leontodon hispidus
• Leontodon hochstetteri
• Leontodon hyoseroides
• Leontodon incanus
• Leontodon intermedius
• Leontodon kotschyi
• Leontodon kulczynskii
• Leontodon libanoticus
• Leontodon longirostris
• Leontodon maroccanus
• Leontodon oxylepis
• Leontodon pinetorum
• Leontodon pitardii
• Leontodon rigens
• Leontodon rosanoi
• Leontodon saxatilis
• Leontodon siculus
• Leontodon stenocalathius
• Leontodon tenuiflorus
• Leontodon tingitanus
• Leontodon tuberosus
• Leontodon × vegetus

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Further reading

• Euro+Med Plantbase

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