About Doronicum plantagineum L.
Doronicum plantagineum, commonly known as plantain-leaved leopard's-bane or plantain false leopardbane, is a European plant species belonging to the sunflower family. It is native to southeastern Europe, ranging from Greece and Italy to Ukraine and the Czech Republic. There are documented reports that this species has become naturalized in the state of Oregon, located in the northwestern United States. Doronicum plantagineum is a perennial herb that grows up to 80 cm (2 feet) tall. Its leaves are roundish and can reach up to 11 cm (4.4 inches) in length. The plant produces yellow flower heads one at a time; each flower head is up to 5 cm (2 inches) in diameter and contains both ray florets and disc florets. Four recognized subspecies of Doronicum plantagineum are: Doronicum plantagineum subsp. atlanticum (Rouy) Greuter, Doronicum plantagineum subsp. emarginatum (H.J.Coste) P.Fourn, Doronicum plantagineum subsp. plantagineum, and Doronicum plantagineum subsp. tournefortii (Rouy) Cout. The Latin specific epithet plantagineum refers to the plant's leaves, which are similar in appearance to plantain leaves.
