Overview

Appearance

Hieracium piloselloides is an erect perennial, with a milky sap that can grow from 8-40 in. (20.3-101.6 cm) tall.

Foliage

Leaves are mostly basal, pale green to whitish with soft hairs. The smooth stems are mostly leafless or with 1-2 small leaves.

Flowers

Flower heads are clustered, yellow, 0.5 in. (1.3 cm) wide, and number up to 30 per plant. This plant blooms June-September.

Fruits

The fruit is a dark brown that is flattened with clusters. It is very hairy.

Ecological Threat

Hieracium piloselloides produces mats of rosettes that dominate sites by out-competing other species for water and nutrients and by releasing alleopathic compounds from their own decaying leaves. They grow well in moist sunny grassy areas, but can tolerate some shade. They are becoming troublesome weeds in native meadows, prairies, pastures and lawns. Wilderness areas in the Pacific Northwest are at risk of invasion.

Maps

Invasive Listing Sources

• Idaho Noxious Weeds
• Invasive Plant Species of West Virginia
• National Park Service, Mid-Atlantic Exotic Plant Management Team Invasive Plant List
• Oregon Noxious Weeds
• Pacific Northwest Exotic Pest Plant Council, 1998
• WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
• West Virginia Native Plant Society, Flora West Virginia Project, and West Virginia Curatorial Database System, September 3, 1999

References