Hawkweeds Hieracium agg. Lus na seabhac Family: Asteraceae Hawkweeds form a large group of perennial plants that are very difficult to distinguish between. They are divided into different groups or 'sections', seven of which are found in Ireland. Many micro-species are recognised within the sections. H. anglicum (section Cerinthoidea) is the most common Irish microspecies. All are perennials with yellow flowers, several rows of sepal-like bracts. Basal leaf-rosettes are present or absent depending on the species. Erect stems, more or less leafy. Tap roots. Height to 1m, depending on species. They occur in a range of habitats, but prefer poor, dry ground. Dry heaths and grassland, walls, dry banks, rocky ledges, roadsides. Most are native. Mouse-eared Hawkweed, Pilosella officinarum (below centre) and Orange Hawkweed / Fox-and-cubs, P. aurantiaca (below right) are very distinctive. They were previously in the Hieracium group Pilosella.

     
Photographs immediately above: Hawkweed. Coombaugh, Comeragh mountains, Co. Waterford. July 2009