Orange Hawkweed

Hieracium aurantiacum

Orange Hawkweed is a perennial broadleaf weed that is also known as Orange Paintbrush, Red Daisy, Missionary Weed or its scientific name, Hieracium aurantiacum.

Identify

Rosette

Entire

Elliptical

Although Orange Hawkweed typically grows in bunches, this broadleaf weed can also grow alone as a basal rosette. Its leaf blades are covered with long hairs, both above and below the rosette. Orange Hawkweed has hairy stolons rooting at the nodes, which eventually leads to the development of new rosettes. The mid-vein of the plant is generally white and broadest at its base. Orange Hawkweed features orange-reddish flowers that grow on nearly leafless flower stalks.

Life Cycle

This broadleaf weed grows best in moist grasslands and can also be found along roadsides and growing in other areas with low-maintenance turf. It grows horizontally and in bunches, often overlapping and smothering less aggressive types of grass.

Control

Hieracium aurantiacum reproduces by seeds, rhizomes and stolons, making this a difficult weed to control through manual removal. The weed's stolons may break, resulting in the weed spreading to additional areas of your lawn and landscaping. Improper control methods can quickly turn one or two Orange Hawkweed plants into a thriving patch. Professionally selected and applied broadleaf weed killers—based on your specific climate and geography—are the most effective method for control.