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Canada hawkweed

Hieracium kalmii
Asteraceae

First leaves in early spring
New leaves grow quickly
Leaves purple beneath
Plant prior to flowering
Growing along Upland Trail
Hawkweed consists of only ray flowers
Halyctid bee on flower
Seed heads forming
Flower and fruit

The Canada hawkweed is a native perennial that puts out new leaves early in April.  It is in the aster family which means that it produces seeds that are dispersed by wind similar to what is observed in dandelions.  It is a common understory plant in the upland woods of Salter Grove.  Like its relative the common dandelion, it has bright yellow ray flowers only and is unusual in that it can produce seeds even if not fertilized.

The Canada hawkweed occurs naturally in North American and Eurasia.  Usually, a widely ranging organism, be it plant or animal, might have various common names that are used locally but always only one scientific name.  However, in the case of the Canada hawkweed four scientific names are in play.  We use Hieracium kalmii because it is the name chosen by our primary botanical reference.