Wednesday, March 02, 2016

Coastal BC Plants: White-Flowered Hawkweed

White-Flowered Hawkweed

White-Flowered Hawkweed along a logging road.
In logging road cuts and old log dumps I found lots of low growing plants with hairy, basal leaves arrayed in a circle flat on the ground. At first I only saw the basal leaves, but in another road cut I found evidence of a tall stalk topped with a few remaining flowers and seed heads.


White-Flowered Hawkweed (Hieracium albiflorum) is a perennial herb with a milky juice, similar to milkweed. Hawkweed grows in closely spaced groups from fibrous roots that reach down into dry rocky soil to obtain enough moisture.

Hawkweed flowers and seeds.

Hawkweed can be found in low to middle elevations. In addition to roadsides and clearings, it grows in open forest areas and dry meadows.

The flowers and seed heads look something like tiny dandelions, except the petals are white and the centers are yellow. There’s a resemblance because both are members of the Aster family. -- Margy

References: Plants of Coastal British Columbia by Jim Pojar and Andy MacKinnon (Lone Pine Publishing, 1994) and E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the Flora of British Columbia (online).

12 comments:

  1. Very interesting plant - I'll have to be on the look out for it.

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    1. I wish I had caught it with more flowers. Maybe this spring will be my chance. - Margy

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  2. I'm ready for some greens. We're expecting a bizarre thaw. I don't want temporary, though!
    (ツ) from Cottage Country Ontario , ON, Canada!

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    1. We had a bit of snow up on top of Goat Island in front of our cabin two days ago, but the rain washed it away the next day. - Margy

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  3. Always great to know the names of wildflowers.
    How are ya?
    MB

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    1. There are so many this time of year to choose from. I just love it after a dark winter. - Margy

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  4. Ahh how lovely...i didn't know there is a white version too... i only knew the yellow one

    Have a nice ABC-Wednes-Day / - week
    ♫ M e l ☺ d y ♫ (abc-w-team)

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    1. And now I know to look for a yellow one. Thanks. - Margy

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  5. I like learning about new herbal plants. I did a quick search on Google and found that once upon a time hawkweed was used to treat lung disease. Interesting!
    The View from the Top of the Ladder

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    1. Many plants were used medicinally by First Nations peoples, and some continue to serve us today. - Margy

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  6. unusual plant, methinks

    ROG, ABCW

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    1. The fuzzy leaves sure are different, and the tall stalk for the flower unusual. - Margy

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We welcome your comments and questions. - Wayne and Margy