meadow hawkweed
Family
AsteraceaeScientific Name
Hieracium pratense
Other Common Names:
field hawkweed
yellow hawkweed
yellow kingdevil
Synonyms (former Scientific Names):
Hieracium pratense
Habit
Flowering stages are throughout the summer but the majority is during June and early July. Foliage can last throughout the winter months. Prefers acidic soils that are low in fertility.
Leaves
Leaves are oblanceolate and almost sessile. Blades (5-25 cm long by 1-3 cm wide) have long hairs both sides. Mid-vein is boldest towards the base and is white. When cut a white sap seeps out.
Flower Seed Head
Flowers are produced June through July, and throughout the summer months. Flower heads are bright yellow ray flowers while open and are 2 cm in diameter. The flower head is produced in clusters of 2 or more at the top of nearly a leafless 25-90 cm long, hairy, flower-stalk.
Seed Fruit
The seed is enclosed inside the fruit (achene). The seeds are ovate to rounded and 1.8 mm long.
Where Found
Found in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada. Commonly found in low-maintenance turfgrass, roadsides, abandoned fields, and meadows.
Growth Habit
prostrate and nonwoody
Thorns or Spines
not present
Approximate Flower Diameter
pencil
Dominant Flower Color
yellow
Flower Symmetry
radial symmetery
Leaf Hairs
has hairs
Leaf Shape
Varies:
round,
oval
Leaf Arrangement
rosette
Leaf Margin
entire
Leaf Structure
simple
Stem Hairs
has hairs
Stem Cross Section
round or oval
Milky Sap
present
Root Structure
Varies:
fibrous,
rhizomes present,
stolons present
Life Cycle
perennial
Ochrea
not present
Plant Type
Herb