Hawkweed- Hieracium - Western Isles Yellow Wildflowers

Many Species of Hawkweeds
There are many species probably around 300 of the hawkweeds growing in tHe Western Isles and throughout Scotland and the Uk and as they are so similar they are extremely difficult to identify (which is why as a novice - I have left this to the experts).

The reason there are so many species is due to the fact that the plant can produce seeds without fertilisation and so plants in one area are very similar but with distinct - though sometimes very subtle differences from plants in another area

Yellow Flowers - Similar to Dandelion
These lovely yellow wildflowers which many consider are weeds are very beautiful - especially when seen in some of their habitats in The Western Isles - like the one pictured above - high up right in a rock crevice.

The Hawkweed is a small, hardy perennial - which has either yellow, orange or red flowers - all being similar to the common dandelion. Hawkweed flowers consist of a dense, round flower-head with dozens of individual small florets. Each of these florets has a blunt tip that terminates with the the small teeth.

Name Derived from the Bird Hawk
The plant's scientific name comes from the Greek name for hawk - hierax. It was thought that the hawks ate the plant and this is why the hawk has such good eyesight

Medicine
The hawkweed has for many years been used to treat ailments. Many used in the form of teas and tonics used to treat breathing difficulties, lung conditions or nausea or indigestion


Perennial Herb
Hawkweeds are perennial herbs of variable height (15–40 cm), and have a milky sap which is seen when their stems or leaves are broken

Leaves
The leaves of the hawkweed are stalkless, hairy on both surfaces, with smooth or slightly toothed margins. They can be sometimes ‘sticky’ to touch. They occur in rosettes. Occasionally 2–4 alternate leaves appear near the base of the upright flower stem

Flowers
Flowers are yellow, orange or red and ‘daisy-like’. They may be solitary or formed in a cluster of 5 to 30 flower heads. The flowers are 10–20 mm in diameter with square-ended petals, and grow on stems up to 40 cm. The flower stems are covered in short, stiff hairs.