Leontodon

Seeds of Leontodon species are an important food source for certain bird species. ==Uses==

In Crete, the roots of the species Leontodon tuberosus are eaten raw and its leaves are eaten steamed. == Secondary metabolites ==

The genus Leontodon s.str. (i.e. excluding the members of the resurrected genus Scorzoneroides) is a rich source of hypocretenolides, unique guaiane type sesquiterpene lactones with a 12,5-lactone ring instead of the usual 12,6 lactone ring. Phenolics found in Leontodon species include luteolin type flavonoids and caffeoyl quinic acid derivatives such as chlorogenic acid and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid. Moreover, Leontodon species contain the caffeoyl tartaric acid derivatives caffeoyl tartaric acid and cichoric acid. ==Species==

The following species are recognised in the genus Leontodon: • Leontodon albanicus • Leontodon anomalus • Leontodon apulus • Leontodon asperrimus • Leontodon balansae • Leontodon berinii • Leontodon biscutellifolius • Leontodon boryi • Leontodon bourgaeanus • Leontodon caroliaedoi • Leontodon × carreiroi • Leontodon caucasicus • Leontodon crispus • Leontodon djurdjurae • Leontodon dubius • Leontodon eriopodus • Leontodon farinosus • Leontodon filii • Leontodon × friasi • Leontodon graecus • Leontodon × grassiorum • Leontodon hellenicus • Leontodon hirtus • Leontodon hispidus • Leontodon hochstetteri • Leontodon hyoseroides • Leontodon incanus • Leontodon intermedius • Leontodon kotschyi • Leontodon kulczynskii • Leontodon libanoticus • Leontodon longirostris • Leontodon maroccanus • Leontodon oxylepis • Leontodon pinetorum • Leontodon pitardii • Leontodon rigens • Leontodon rosanoi • Leontodon saxatilis • Leontodon siculus • Leontodon stenocalathius • Leontodon tenuiflorus • Leontodon tingitanus • Leontodon tuberosus • Leontodon × vegetus ==Further reading==