Long-bearded hawkweed

Images

Click on image to view full size

Long-bearded hawkweed

Long-bearded hawkweed inflorescence

Long-bearded hawkweed phyllaries

Long-bearded hawkweed florets

Long-bearded hawkweed

Long-bearded hawkweed leaves

Long-bearded hawkweed hairs

Long-bearded hawkweed fruiting

Long-bearded hawkweed leaves

Long-bearded hawkweed stem

Morphology

Stem

Erect, stout, densely covered with brownish, bristly hairs 1/2 to 1 inch long, more so toward base of stem.

Leaves

Mostly basal, often crowded, simple, oblanceolate to spatulate, 4 to 12 inches long, to 1.5 inch wide, densely long-hairy; margins entire; stem leaves gradually reduced, those on upper 1/2 of stem bract-like.

Inflorescence

Heads, 10-20 in panicle-like or raceme-like arrays, on short, hairy stalks; heads about 3/4 inch wide; phyllaries 12-21, linear-lanceolate, in single series, tips pointed, with conspicuous, black, glandular hairs.

Flower

Florets 30-60, ca. 1/3 inch, corollas yellow.

Fruit

Achenes, redddish-brown, 1/10 to 1/6 inch, tapered towards summit, tipped with pappus of 35-40 tan, barbed bristles, 1/8 to 1/5 inch long, enclosing small seed.

Ecology

Habitat

Dry, upland prairies, open woods and open sandy sites.

Distribution

East 1/2 of Kansas.

Practical Information

Uses

In ancient and medieval times, hawkweed was used medicinally to treat indigestion, burns, and snakebites.

Additional Notes