Orange hawkweed

This European perennial invades pastures and lawns, displacing native plants and forming monocultures. The vibrant orange-red flowers are clustered at the top of the leafless stem and bloom in late spring to mid-summer. Orange hawkweed (Hieracium aurantiacum) grows about 12′ tall and produces dandelion-like fuzzy seedheads. The plant spreads through stolons (stems or runners that grow along the ground). All parts of the plant produce a milky juice. The best way to remove this weed is to dig it out by hand, making sure to get all pieces of the roots.

Some native plant alternatives are:

1. Oregon sunshine
2. Douglas aster
3. Orange sneezeweed
4. California poppy
5. Arrowleaf balsamroot

(Top photo by Gail Hampshire)