Asteraceae

Pilosella officinarum

Common Names: Mouse-ear hawkweed Synonyms: Hieracium pilosella

Plant Form: Low-growing perennial rosette herb. Size: Up to 50 cm tall. Stem: Covered in bristly hairs, contain a milky sap. Leaves: Hairy green leaves up to 15 cm long arranged in rosette close to ground. Flowers: Yellow dandelion-like flowers with square-ended petals, 3 cm diameter, with single flower per stem. Single red stripe underneath petals. Fruit and Seeds: Narrow dark brown seeds with parachuting hairs, in dandelion-like ball. Habitat: Alpine grasslands, woodlands, open heathlands. Distinguishing Features: Bright red stripe under petals distinguishes from Flatweeds (Hypochaeris species) and other Hawkweeds (Pilosella species). Impacts: Major threat through competition to endangered alpine flora (and subsequently) fauna, unpalatable to livestock.

Yellow flowers

Leaves have stiff hairs

Flower undersurface

Infestation