Happy Oregon Invasive Species Awareness Week! Here’s a story from our partners about an “A-listed” noxious weed called orange hawkweed. Thanks to Courtney Gattuso, WeedWise Specialist at the Clackamas Soil & Water Conservation District, for writing this piece.

Don’t let those pretty flowers fool you!

What is orange hawkweed?

Orange hawkweed (Hieracium aurantiacum) is a highly invasive member of the aster family. Vibrant, showy orange flowers bloom from July-August. This plant reproduces by producing seeds and above ground stolons (or ‘runners’, stems that grow horizontally and re-root to create new plants). These two means make it a very aggressive spreader. Once established, hawkweeds can quickly develop patches, spreading to form solid mats of rosettes. It can pose serious threats to your pasture, lawn, and roadside, not to mention native plant communities. Orange hawkweed crowds out desirable plants, quickly turning into a nuisance.

Orange hawkweed spreads quickly from seeds and its horizontal runners called stolons.

‘A-grade’ weed, perfect for eradication!

Thankfully, this weed’s distribution is limited in the Sandy Basin. Orange hawkweed is an “A” listed noxious weed in the state of Oregon, which means it is one of the highest priorities for eradication. Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District (CSWCD) has deemed it May’s Weed of the Month to raise awareness and encourage community members to accurately identify & report sightings. 

Admire one plant for too long and it will take over your field!

If you find it, report it!

If you spot orange hawkweed in the Sandy Basin, please report your sightings to the Oregon Invasive Species Hotline. For landowners, CSWCD WeedWise Program has free-of-charge resources to help control this invasive plant. Such a great resource! If you suspect orange hawkweed is on your property, please contact the WeedWise Program.

Oregon Invasive Species Hotline: 1-866-INVADER (1-866-468-2337)

CSWCD WeedWise Program: 503-210-6000

Thanks for reading, and keep your eyes peeled this summer for that vibrant, weedy orange flower.

All photos provided by CSWCD WeedWise Program.