New England hawkweed, European hawkweed Hieraciumsabaudum L.
Appearance
Hieracium sabaudum is a perennial herbaceous plant in the sunflower family that ranges from 10-48 in. (25-122 cm) tall. The multiple hirsute stems contain a milky sap. H. sabaudum is native to temperate Asia and Europe.
Foliage
The many leaves are larger and denser near the bottom of the stem, becoming smaller as they ascend up the stem. The leaf blades are lanceolate with toothed margins. The underside of the leaf is pilose.
Flowers
There can be from 25-30 or more small flowers held in a loose corymb. The yellow ray flowers resemble small dandelions and bloom from July to October.
Fruit
The dandelion like seeds have a plume of bristles to aid in dispersal by wind.
Ecological Threat
H. sabaudum outcompetes native species and invades along roadsides, forest clearings, open fields, pastures and other disturbed sites. It prefers well drained sites and is considered highly invasive.