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Orange Hawkweed Wikimedia Commons
Asteraceae

Orange Hawkweed

Pilosella aurantiaca

Fiery determination and keen sight.

Family
Asteraceae
Genus
Pilosella
Native to
Central Europe, Scandinavia
Bloom season
Summer
Type
herbaceous perennial
Height
6-24 in
Sunlight
full sun to part shade
Soil
poor, acidic, well-drained
Water
low
Hardiness
3-9
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • Also called 'devil's paintbrush' because its vivid orange-red flowers look like they were painted by the devil himself.
  • Medieval Europeans believed hawks ate the plant to sharpen their eyesight, hence the name 'hawkweed.'
  • It reproduces by stolons, seeds, and apomixis (producing seeds without fertilization), making it nearly impossible to eradicate.
  • Listed as a noxious weed in many US states and Canadian provinces due to aggressive spread in meadows.
  • The closely packed flower heads close at night and on cloudy days, opening only in direct sunlight.

Color meanings

0

quick-sightedness

1

fierce beauty

2

tenacity

Uses

  • wildflower identification
  • pollinator support
  • folk medicine history