Hieracium scabrum aka Rough Hawkweed

Hieracium scabrum is a wildflower in the aster family. It is perennial, which means it lives for several years. People call it rough hawkweed or sticky hawkweed. It comes from eastern North America, including parts of Canada. Its range reaches south to Georgia and west to Minnesota. It grows in woodland gaps, prairies, and along roadsides. It also grows on dry ledges, bluffs, and open slopes.

This plant grows upright, with coarse leaves and rough hairs. Its stout main stem has no branches below the flower clusters. The pale green stem may have red tones. Green, simple leaves grow in turn along the stem. Their edges are smooth, and their shape is often oval. Leaves get smaller toward the top of the stem. Hairs grow on both sides of each leaf. The leaves and stem hold milky sap called latex. Leaves can reach about 0.67 feet [0.20 metres] long. The stalk dies back in winter. A small ring of leaves may then form at its base. These leaves form a basal rosette. Rhizomes, or stems below ground, spread and may form small colonies.

Yellow flower heads bloom in summer and fall. Each head looks like a small dandelion. A plant can bear 10 to 25 flower clusters. The heads form flat-topped, branched clusters called panicles above the leafy stem. A panicle can reach 1 foot [0.30 metres] long. It may spread 0.5 feet [0.15 metres] across. Each head holds 30 to 60 small flowers called ray florets. The dark brown fruits are thin and shaped like cylinders. Each dry fruit holds one seed. These fruits are achenes; the more exact name is cypselas.

Rough hawkweed grows best in full sun. It also grows in woods with part shade. It suits dry soil and plantings that can cope with drought. It grows in sand, loam, and shallow, rocky soil. Its listed hardiness range spans USDA zones 4 through 9. Use it in native gardens, borders, or areas left to grow wild. Its spread into colonies suits small groups or mass plantings. You can divide the plant to grow more.

Bees and other pollinators visit the flowers. Wild turkeys and ruffed grouse eat its leaves and seeds. Deer and rabbits sometimes eat the leaves too. The bitter latex makes the leaves less tempting to wildlife. The plant has few problems overall. Watch for aphids, spider mites, and leaf beetles. Gall wasps and caterpillars may also occur. Diseases may include powdery mildew, leaf spot, and rust.