The folk singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell is being treated in intensive care in hospital in Los Angeles.

The website jonimitchell.com, which describes itself as the artist's official site, said: "Joni was found unconscious in her home this afternoon. She regained consciousness on the ambulance ride to an LA area hospital.

"She is currently in intensive care undergoing tests and is awake and in good spirits. More updates to come as we hear them. Light a candle and sing a song, let's all send good wishes her way."

Earlier the celebrity gossip site TMZ said Mitchell, 71, was found by paramedics around 2.30pm on Tuesday after an emergency call from her house.

A Twitter account in Mitchell's name also reported on Tuesday night that she was in hospital, but gave no details on her condition.

Three hours later, another post said: "Joni is currently in intensive care in an LA area hospital but is awake and in good spirits. More updates to come as we hear them."

LA fire officials said paramedics answered an afternoon 911 call in Bel Air, where Mitchell lives, and took a patient to a local area hospital but they did not give her identity.

A spokesman for the fire department, which provides emergency medical services, said the patient had been in a "fair condition" but provided no further details.

Mitchell's media management was contacted for comment but did not immediately respond.

In 2014 Mitchell released a career-spanning four-disc box set and appeared at Clive Davis's annual pre-Grammy party in February.

She has received eight Grammy awards, including a lifetime achievement award in 2002. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.

The singer-songwriter told Billboard magazine in December 2014 that she has a rare skin condition which prevents her performing.