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Devil's Paintbrush Wikimedia Commons
Asteraceae

Devil's Paintbrush

Pilosella aurantiaca

Wild beauty and tenacity.

Family
Asteraceae
Genus
Pilosella
Native to
Central Europe, Southern Europe
Bloom season
Summer
Type
perennial herb
Height
0.5-2 ft
Sunlight
full sun to part shade
Soil
well-drained, acidic to neutral
Water
low
Hardiness
3-9
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • The vivid orange color was once thought to be painted by the devil himself, giving the plant its common name.
  • It spreads aggressively through stolons and is considered an invasive species in North America, Australia, and New Zealand.
  • The entire plant is covered in distinctive black-tipped hairs that help it conserve moisture.
  • In medieval Europe, it was believed that carrying the plant would protect against witchcraft.
  • Each flower head is actually a cluster of tiny ray florets, with no disc florets present unlike most Asteraceae.

Color meanings

0

persistence

1

boldness

Uses

  • folk medicine for respiratory ailments
  • ground cover
  • wildflower meadows