Arnoseris is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae.Gaertner, Joseph. 1791. De Fructibus et Seminibus Plantarum. 2(3): 355 in LatinGaertner, Joseph. 1791. De Fructibus et Seminibus Plantarum. 2(3):plate 157, figure 3 line drawing as illustrationTropicos, Arnoseris Gaertn.
The only known species is Arnoseris minima, native to Europe, Morocco, and the Middle East; naturalized in parts of northeastern North America (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Maine, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan).Biota of North America Program 2013 county distribution mapAltervista Flora Italiana, Arnoseris minima (L.) Schweigg. & Korte includes photos and European distribution map Common names in the United States: dwarf nipplewort or lamb-succory.Brako, L., A.Y. Rossman & D.F. Farr. 1995. Scientific and Common Names of 7,000 Vascular Plants in the United States 1–294. Common names in the British Isles: lamb's succory.
It has a maximum height of 30 cm, is herbaceous and does not spread vegetatively.Online Atlas of the British and Irish Flora
The species became extinct across the British Isles in 1971.Woodland Trust - 7 Extinct Plants in the UK and the Rarest Plants to Save There was an attempt to reintroduce the species, and there has been one recent sighting in England.Online Atlas of the British Flora
Arnoseris minima is an annual weed of cornfields and fallow fields, favouring infertile, sandy, acidic soils.Online Atlas of the British Flora
The word 'succory' is an anglicization of the French 'cichorie' (chicory). The 'lamb' in the name denotes that it is a chicory only suitable for animal consumption.a New Universal Etymological and Pronouncing Dictionary of the English Language The genus Arnoseris comes from the Ancient Greek 'arnos seris' meaning 'sheep's endive'. The species epithet minima means 'small'.Flora of North America
Secondary metabolites Arnoseris minima is a source of the simple coumarin aesculetin and the flavonoids luteolin, luteolin 7-O-β-D-glucoside, luteolin 4'-O-β-D-glucoside, and 3-O-methylquercetin.
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