Edge/ Hairy Hawkweed

COMMON NAME: Hairy Hawkweed

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Hawk Plant

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Hieracium floribundum

FAMILY: Asteraceae

COMMUNITY: Edge

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Perennial

HEIGHT: 1 to 5 feet

FLOWERING TIME: Early July to Late September

FRUITING TIME: August to October

DISTRIBUTION: Masschcuttes to Florida ~ In NJ found throughout the Coastal Plains

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Stems are hairy, solitary conspicuously spreading toward the base.  Leaves star-shaped, narrow toward the top

GENERAL INFORMATION: This large family (Asteraceae), commonly called the Aster Family, consists of 1,314 genera and 21,000 species of herbs, shrubs, climbers and a few trees is found chiefly in temperate and subtropical regions.  The plants are of value to man as ornamentals; a few are insecticides and fish poisons. Early Greeks reported that hawks ate the plant to sharpen their eyesight, thus the name “Hawkweed”. Ancient people used plants in this genus to treat stomach aliments and applied a preparation to the skin for inflammations.  The root was reported to help the bite of a scorpion, if applied to the puncture. In 1663, physicians prepared a decoction (medicine prepared by boiling the thick parts of the plant; ingested hot or cold) to enhance healing of  “green” wounds. The plant was also prepared as wine and given to the wounded patient.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.