Orange hawkweed (Hieracium aurantiacum) is a relatively new invasive weed in Clackamas County. With your help, our team plans to keep it from becoming a common problem for landowners! A member of the sunflower family, orange hawkweed is native to central and southern Europe and grows in open areas like gravel pits, roadsides, meadows, pastures, […]
Orange hawkweed, devil’s paintbrush, red daisy, flameweed, devil’s weed, grim-the-collier
Hieracium aurantiacum (synonym: Pilosella aurantiacum)
Orange hawkweed is a highly invasive perennial in the Asteraceae (sunflower) family. With the exception of 1 or 2 stem leaves, the leaves only grow at the base and are narrow, hairy and grow up to 5 inches long. The pretty flowers are bright orange-red and grow in compact clusters of 3 to 12 flower heads that are each about 1 inch in diameter. It can spread by seed, rhizomes and its fuzzy, above-ground runners (stolons).
Up to 35 inches, though usually 12-18 inches
orange-red
July-August
Before flowering, orange hawkweed is extremely difficult to distinguish from other hawkweeds. However, once it flowers, the bright orange-red color is a dead giveaway.
Orange hawkweed can thrive in a variety of soil conditions, and while it prefers sunny locations, it is also somewhat shade tolerant. It can be found in lawns, flower beds, meadows, pastures, roadsides, gravel pits, forest openings, and is well-adapted to higher elevations.
Orange hawkweed can spread rapidly and aggressively, forming mono-cultures and crowding out desirable species. It is sometimes sold as an ornamental plant in nurseries.
Europe
Oregon Noxious Weed Profile
Washington Noxious Weed Profile
Invasive.org profile
CABI Invasive Species Compendium
Global Invasive Species Database
Orange hawkweed (Hieracium aurantiacum) is a relatively new invasive weed in Clackamas County. With your help, our team plans to keep it from becoming a common problem for landowners! A member of the sunflower family, orange hawkweed is native to central and southern Europe and grows in open areas like gravel pits, roadsides, meadows, pastures, […]
