Urospermum, commonly known as prickly goldenfleece, is a small genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae (daisy family), placed in the tribe Cichorieae — the dandelion tribe — which is characterised by ligulate florets and milky latex. The genus belongs to the order Asterales within the class Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons).
The genus comprises just two species: Urospermum dalechampii (L.) Scop. ex F.W.Schmidt and Urospermum picroides (L.) Scop. ex F.W.Schmidt. Both are annual or perennial herbs with yellow ray florets typical of the tribe, native to the Mediterranean Basin. U. dalechampii is distributed from Spain and Morocco eastward to the Aegean region, while U. picroides has a broader range stretching from Portugal and the Canary Islands east through southwestern Asia to Pakistan. Both species have been naturalized in Australia, and U. picroides has also established itself in North America and South America.
Etymology
The name Urospermum derives from Greek roots: oura (tail) and sperma (seed), referring to the tailed or beaked achenes characteristic of the genus. The common name "prickly goldenfleece" alludes to the spiny involucre bracts and yellow florets.
Distribution
Urospermum is native to the Mediterranean Basin and southwestern Asia. U. dalechampii occurs from Spain and Morocco east to the Aegean; U. picroides extends from Portugal and the Canary Islands east to Pakistan. Both species have naturalized in Australia, and U. picroides additionally in North and South America.
Taxonomy Notes
Urospermum is placed in tribe Cichorieae (the dandelion tribe) of the family Asteraceae (Compositae), order Asterales. The two species were originally described under Scorzonera by Linnaeus and later transferred to Urospermum by Scopoli and F.W.Schmidt. GBIF records multiple backbone entries for the genus; the most complete places it in Compositae / Asterales / Magnoliopsida / Magnoliophyta / Plantae.
