Pilosella caespitosa aka King Devil

Pilosella caespitosa is an herb that lives for years. It belongs to the daisy family, Asteraceae. People call it meadow hawkweed, field hawkweed, or king devil. Kew gives its native range as Europe to central Siberia and the Caucasus. It grows in temperate regions, where the climate is mild. The RHS does not list it as native to Britain or Ireland. It once went by the name Hieracium caespitosum. Another old name is Hieracium pratense. It has spread through much of North America, including North Carolina.

The plant grows fast, forms clumps, and spreads. It grows wild in fields, beside roads, and in open woods. North Carolina State lists woods as a landscape setting. Its guide allows 1–3 feet [0.3–0.9 metres] of planting space. This states how much room to leave for plants. It does not give their full-grown height or spread. The sources give no size for a full-grown plant. Rhizomes, or stems below ground, matter when clearing plants that have taken hold.

Most leaves sit at the base of the plant. They are narrow and shaped like a lance. The stems bear few leaves, and some bear none. Thick, dark hairs coat the leaves, stems, and bracts. Bracts are small, leaf-like parts near the flower heads. The stems have no scent. The yellow flower heads look like those of dandelions. They grow in tight groups of five to forty heads. North Carolina State notes blooms in summer and fall. The bright heads make up the plant's main show.

The listed soils include clay, loam, and sand. They range from acid through neutral to alkaline. The source lists moist ground and sites that often hold standing water. These records show that it can grow in many soils. They do not show that it can cope with drought. The listed way to grow new plants is from seed. The evidence gives no light needs or cold-hardiness rating. It does not describe the fruit or name insect or disease problems.

Its spread is a concern in managed ground and wild habitats. North Carolina State calls it a weed that needs much care. Mammals find it poor to eat. It competes with native plants that serve as animal food. Its showy flowers do not make up for that flaw. To clear it, dig or pull plants and remove the rhizomes too. The sources support no food use or use as medicine. A bad taste alone does not show whether it is poisonous.