Mouse-ear Hawkweed

Pilosella officinarum

Family: Asteraceae

Pet & Human Safety

People: Skin irritant to peoplePets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

Not a food plant; no preparation guidance is given.

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

none stated: NC State Plant Toolbox page has no poison or dermatitis section

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

No ASPCA page was found and the NC State page shows no pet-problem tag. That means not assessed, not safe.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

Get the app: coming soon

Care

Hardiness zones: USDA 6a-10b (NC State)
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water needs: low
Mature size: Up to about 8 inches tall and wide in the description (NC State); the attribute range reads 8 inches to 2 ft 8 in for both height and width.
Where it comes from: Europe and northern Asia (NC State); spread rapidly and aggressively to North America.

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

Get the app: coming soon