Hieracium longipilum (Hairy Hawkweed)

Plant Info
Also known as: Long-bearded Hawkweed
Genus:Hieracium
Family:Asteraceae (Aster)
Life cycle:perennial
Origin:native
Habitat:sun; dry sandy soil; prairies open woods, roadsides
Bloom season:July - September
Plant height:2 to 5 feet
Wetland Indicator Status:none
MN county distribution (click map to enlarge):Minnesota county distribution map
National distribution (click map to enlarge):National distribution map

Pick an image for a larger view. See the glossary for icon descriptions.

Detailed Information

Flower: Flower shape: 7+petals Cluster type: panicle Cluster type: raceme

[photo of flowers] Raceme or panicle cluster of 10 to 20 yellow dandelion-like flowers on short hairy stalks at the top of the stem. Flowers are about ½ inch across with 40 to 90 yellow ray flowers (petals) with notched tips. The bracts behind the flower are densely covered in short glandular hairs.

Leaves and stem: Leaf attachment: alternate Leaf attachment: basal Leaf type: simple

[photo of leaves] Leaves are mostly basal, up to 12 inches long, 1½ inches wide, with a rounded or blunt point at the tip, tapering at the base, toothless, and densely covered in hairs up to an inch long. There are a few alternately attached leaves to about the midpoint of the main stem that are much smaller. The stem is densely covered with long stiff hairs, becoming more sparsely hairy near the flowers.

Fruit: Fruit type: seed with plume

[photo of fruit]  Dark seeds about ¼ inch long with a tuft of light brown hair to carry them off in the wind.

Notes:

An uncommon species, Minnesota is the northwestern corner of its natural range. Hairy Hawkweed does not colonize so it isn't likely to be confused with one of the weedy hawkweeds that tend to form large mono-cultures. When present, it is typically found as single plants scattered in the area. The hairs on the leaves and stem are longer than other hawkweeds.

Please visit our sponsors

  • Minnesota Goose Garden

Native Plant Nurseries, Restoration and Landscaping Services ↓

Map of native plant resources in the upper midwest

  • ReWild Native Gardens
  • Shop for native seeds and plants at PrairieMoon.com!
  • Shooting Star Native Seeds - Native Prairie Grass and Wildflower Seeds
  • Morning Sky Greenery - Native Prairie Plants
  • Natural Shore Technologies - Using science to improve land and water

More photos

Photos by K. Chayka taken at Wild River State Park, Chisago County. Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk taken at Gray Cloud Dunes and Hastings Sand Coulee SNAs in Dakota County.

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?

Posted by: Gretchen - Pine County, Hinckley
on: 2013-05-09 12:56:39

Hieracium longipilum- believe I have a sighting for Pine County. Stay tuned. Can't recall the gal I chatted with on the slender penstemon find, but thought I would let her know of my find. :)

Posted by: Janelle - Northeastern Houston County
on: 2014-08-11 21:28:34

Found on the roadside in a wooded area while looking for calendula.

Posted by: Elizabeth Tiller - McKnight Prairie, NW corner of Goodhue County, near Randolph
on: 2019-07-07 18:06:47

Scattered on south-facing slope of first knoll.

Posted by: M J - Beltrami County (southeastern)
on: 2022-07-05 14:01:14

Appeared in lawn and surrounding area for the first time this year (2022). I.D. confidence 95%+.

Posted by: K Chayka
on: 2022-07-05 14:05:31

M J, the natural range of this uncommon species doesn't extend to Beltrami County and, unless one of your neighbors planted it and some seed blew your way, it is highly unlikely it just appeared in your lawn. You most likely have one of the weedy/invasive hawkweeds instead. If you'd like confirmation on your ID post some images on the Minnesota Wildflowers Facebook page.

Post a comment

Note: All comments are moderated before posting to keep the riff-raff out. An email address is required, but will not be posted—it will only be used for information exchange between the 2 of us (if needed) and will never be given to a 3rd party without your express permission.

For info on subjects other than plant identification (gardening, invasive species control, edible plants, etc.), please check the links and invasive species pages for additional resources.



(required)




Note: Comments or information about plants outside of Minnesota and neighboring states may not be posted because I’d like to keep the focus of this web site centered on Minnesota. Thanks for your understanding.