Hieracium aurantiacum L.
Orange hawkweed is a fibrous-rooted perennial herb that grows up to 12 inches tall. The hairy leaves are mostly basal with 1 or 2 small leaves occasionally occurring on the bristly stem. The whole plant contains a milky juice. Densely clustered flowers, 5 to 35 per plant, are reminiscent of dandelions but are orange-to-red with notched tips. Orange hawkweed spreads via stolons, rhizomes, seeds, and root buds. Severe infestations of dense mats can choke out all other vegetation.
There are currently very few orange hawkweed infestations in Teton County, most of which occur in Grand Teton National Park. This particular species is more easily identified than its cousin yellow hawkweed because there are no native hawkweeds in this region with orange flowers.
If you find this weed on your property or around Teton County, please report it immediately at 733-8419.
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