Yellow Hawkweed
Hieracium caespitosum

History and Impact

Although this hawkweed resembles a common dandelion, it is much more invasive and difficult to control, especially in remote mountain meadows and wilderness areas.  This European species, also known as meadow hawkweed, is a fairly recent introduction into Washington State, but has already spread over large areas in the northwest and is spreading into the rest of the state as well.  Because it spreads by creeping roots as well as seed, it tends to form large monocultures that can suppress grasses and other plants needed as forage by wildlife and range animals.  As a Class B noxious weed, its control is required in King County.

Identification and Biology

Yellow hawkweed has clusters of many small, yellow dandelion-like flower heads on top of mostly leafless stems. The erect, bristly stems can grow up to 3 feet tall, each topped by 5 to 30 bright yellow flower heads in a compact, flat-topped cluster.  Each plant produces 10 to 30 flower stems.  Flowers in bud are distinctively rounded and black-hairy in tight clusters at the tops of the stems.

The leaves are long and narrow, up to six inches long, not lobed, somewhat hairy on both sides, and form a basal rosette. There are also usually one or two small leaves on the stem.  The entire plant contains a milky juice. Yellow hawkweed has a shallow root system and underground creeping stems called rhizomes. New plants can arise from buds on the rhizomes and plants can develop several creeping stems (like strawberries) that are also capable of producing new plants.

Yellow hawkweed is a perennial and spreads by seeds, stolons and rhizomes.  It flowers from mid-May to July and usually sets seed by August.  Yellow hawkweed thrives in disturbed areas such as roadsides, gravel pits and pastures. It can also invade meadows and forested areas and is well-adapted to life at higher elevations. Usually found in sunny areas, it is somewhat shade tolerant.

Hawkweed identification can be difficult and often requires technical details such as hair types.  Also, hybridization between species can make it even more confusing.  For a positive identification, you should consult a technical flora on hawkweeds or contact the noxious weed program.

Yellow Hawkweed Photos - click thumbnail for larger image