Hawkweeds are a genus of which there are a particularly large number of species. For laypeople, the differences are hardly discernible. The weed, which is also fought as a weed, is often confused with dandelion. Worth knowing about the hawkweed species.

Some hawkweed species, such as orange-red hawkweed, are very decorative

Hawkweed species are difficult to identify

There are around 850 to 1,000 different species of hawkweed worldwide. 180 species occur in Germany. Determining the individual species is very difficult, especially since new forms are constantly being created through crossbreeding.

The genus of hawkweed is divided into two subgenera: hawkweed (Hieracium subgen. Hieracium) and mouse-ear hawkweed (Hieracium subgen. Pilosella).

Well-known representatives of the real hawkweed

  • Common hawkweed
  • Smooth hawkweed
  • Forest Hawkweed
  • Shaggy Hawkweed

mouse-eared hawkweed species

  • Orange hawkweed
  • Meadow Hawkweed
  • Little hawkweed
  • Florentine hawkweed

Characteristics of Hawkweed

Hawkweed belongs to the daisy family. Most species form long taproots. Depending on the species, the plants are only 5 to 20 centimeters high, other species reach 1.5 meters.

The inflorescences consist of caplets containing between 6 and 150 ray florets - depending on the species. The flowers are often bright yellow but can also be orange-red, white or cream.

The flowering period of the hawkweed begins in May and lasts until September.

Caring for hawkweed in the garden

Hawkweed is a very hardy plant. She likes to grow in rock gardens. Here, however, cultivated forms that produce particularly large, but sterile flowers are more likely to be planted.

Hawkweed is not poisonous, but plays a role in natural medicine as a medicinal plant. It contains coumarins, flavonoids, mucilage and tannins. It is used to relieve stomach and intestinal complaints, cellulite and bleeding.

The plants are also edible for small animals.

Combat hawkweed as a weed

Hawkweed tends to spread in the garden and especially in the lawn. There it displaces the grass plants with its rosettes. To combat this, you should ensure that no flowers and thus no seeds can develop.

Dense stands must be dug out by hand or destroyed with a weed killer.

tips

The hawkweed got its name because of the medicinal effect that was believed to strengthen the eyes at the time. By taking it, the patient should get eyes like a hawk.

Category:

Herbs