Orange Hawkweed (Hieracium Aurantiacum)

Gallery:

Orange hawkweed in bloom

Orange hawkweed seed heads

Orange hawkweed rosettes

Orange hawkweed pre-bloom

Orange hawkweed infestation

Common names:

Orange hawkweed, devil’s paintbrush, red daisy, flameweed, devil’s weed, grim-the-collier

Scientific Name:

Hieracium aurantiacum (synonym: Pilosella aurantiacum)

Description:

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).

Life cycle:

Perennial

Height of mature plants

Up to 35 inches, though usually 12-18 inches

Flower color:

orange-red

Bloom time:

July-August

Look-a-likes:

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.

Habitat:

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.

Impacts:

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.