Leaf
Liliane Roubaudi, Tela Botanica · CC BY-SA 2.0
Great leopard's-bane
Doronicum pardalianches L.
Also known as: Leopard's-bane
Family: Asteraceae
40 to 80 cm tall
Woodland, shaded gardens, cool, rich soils
Flowering: May – June
Part shade
Shade
Hardy to -25°C
❓ How do you recognise this plant?
Despite its name evoking leopards, this plant has no connection with these big cats — the name comes from an old belief about its toxicity.
🍃 Leaves
Heart-shaped at the base, toothed, bright green
🌸 Flowers
Large bright yellow flower heads resembling golden daisies
🍎 Fruits
Achenes topped with a pappus
🪵 Bark
Basal clump, upright stems, creeping rhizome
🗺️ Distribution
Western and central Europe; present in cool woodland and clearings, mainly in mountainous areas in France.
🐝 Value for pollinators
Early yellow flower heads visited by bees and hoverflies in spring.
✂️ Horticultural uses
Shaded borders, light woodland; easy-to-grow early bright yellow flowering.
⚠️ Possible toxicity
Root traditionally considered toxic (formerly used to poison leopards/panthers, hence its name); not to be eaten.
🌿 Other Asteraceae to discover
ℹ️ Educational profile — do not use it to judge whether a plant is edible or safe.
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