Al Schneider's Rocky Mountains Plant Descriptions

Orange Hawkweed
Pilosella aurantiaca
Aster family (Asteraceae)

Orange hawkweed, also known as "Devil's Paintbrush," is an invasive species whose trailing shoots can create a dense mat that crowds other vegetation. The plant is distinguished from Orange Agoseris (Agoseris aurantiaca) by its multiple flowerheads per stem.


©2021 Zoya Akulova

Description

Introduced , 10-20" tall. Clusters of red orange flowerheads are comprised of that are notched at tip. Leaves are to spoon-shaped, arranged in . Leaves and stems covered with stiff hairs. Stem is leafless with milky sap.

Field Marks

Clusters of orange-red dandelion-like flowerheads; hairy and leafless stems.

© Al Schneider

rosette -- usually a dense cluster of leaves at the base of a plant.

A herb is a plant whose stems die back to the ground in the winter.

ray flowers -- The outer petals of a sunflower or daisy are ray flowers.

basal -- at the base, situated or attached at the base.

oblong -- Having an elongated form with somewhat parallel sides. Rectangular.

A perennial plant lives and blooms for many years.