Yellow Hawkweed

Hieracium pratense

Yellow Hawkweed is a perennial broadleaf weed that is also known as Hieracium caespitosum, Yellow King-devil, Field Hawkweed and Meadow Hawkweed. Its scientific name is Hieracium pratense.

Identify

Rosette

Entire

Elliptical

Although Yellow 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. Yellow Hawkweed features hairy stolons rooting at the nodes, and these eventually lead to the development of new rosettes. This weed’s mid-vein is generally white and broadest at its base. Yellow Hawkweed produces bright-yellow 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 grasses.

Control

Hieracium pratensereproduces 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 Yellow 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.