Images
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Morphology
- Stem
- Erect, mostly solitary, sap milky; upper stem nearly naked; lower stem moderately to densely pubescent; hairs spreading, pale orange or brown.
- Leaves
- Mostly basal, sessile to short-stalked, oblanceolate to obovate or elliptic, .8 to 4+ inches long, .4 to 1.6 inches wide; surfaces hairy; margins entire; tip rounded to pointed; base wedge-shaped to rounded.
- Inflorescence
- Panicle-like array, elongate, open-cylindrical, 5-50-flowered, glandular-pubescent, terminal.
- Flower
- Involucre 1/4 to 2/5 inch tall; involucral bracts 12-15+, narrowly oblong-lanceolate, pubescent; tips rounded to pointed; ray florets 12-30+; ligules about 1/3 inch long, yellow; disk florets absent.
- Fruit
- Achenes, cylindrical, 1/12 to 1/6 inch long, somewhat narrowed near apex, enclosing small seed, tipped with bristles in 2 series; bristles1/6 to 1/5 inch long, pale yellow to orangish-brown.
Ecology
- Habitat
- Open woods, disturbed sites, roadsides, pastures, old fields, ledges; dry sandy or rocky soils.
- Distribution
- East 1/3 of Kansas
Additional Notes
Comments
The common name hawkweed alludes to the ancient Greek belief that hawks would improve their eyesight by eating the plant. Named for Dutch botanist Jan Frederik Gronovius, 1686-1762.
Quick Facts
- Plant Type
- Wildflower
- Family
- Asteraceae - Sunflower Family
- Life Span
- Perennial
- Height
- 1-4 feet
- Origin
- Native
- Last Updated
- 2011-05-20
Color Groups
Yellow Wildflowers
Flowering Period
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Blooms: July, August, September, October