Sticky hawkweed (Hieracium amplexicaule, Sp. Pl.: 803 (1753))

Family: Asteraceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 803 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Hieracium

Vegetable: False

Observations: C. & S. Europe, Morocco

Description

Sticky hawkweed, known scientifically as Hieracium amplexicaule, is a plant belonging to the well-known family Asteraceae. First described in 1753 in Species Plantarum by Carl Linnaeus, the authoritative Swedish botanist often abbreviated as “L.” Hieracium amplexicaule enjoys a wide native distribution that spans across Central and Southern Europe, and even touches North Africa in Morocco, showcasing its robustness and adaptability across quite different climatic zones.

Remarkably, the sticky hawkweed has adapted to a variety of environments within its expansive range. It thrives in well-drained soils and is commonly found in open fields, grasslands, and mountainous regions where it can receive plenty of sunlight. The plant’s name derives from its distinctive sticky foliage and stems, which are often coated with glandular hairs that can trap small insects – a fascinating characteristic that may contribute to its resilience in the wild by deterring herbivores or potentially assisting in nutrient acquisition.

Sticky hawkweed’s morphology is typical of the Asteraceae family, featuring a rosette of basal leaves and upright flowering stems. The flowers themselves are bright yellow and arranged in a compact inflorescence that blooms from late spring through early summer. These vibrant yellow flowers not only add to the aesthetic appeal of the landscapes they inhabit but also play a crucial role in attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies, ensuring the propagation of the species.

In summary, Hieracium amplexicaule is a fascinating member of the Asteraceae family, distinguished by its sticky foliage and yellow blooms. Its presence across diverse regions from Europe to North Africa highlights its versatility and ecological significance.

Common Names

Fra: epervière embrassante, eperviaire amplexicaule, épervière amplexicaule, épervière embrassante, épervière à feuilles embrassantes
Slv: obrasla škržolica
Ita: sparviere a foglie abbraccianti
Nld: stengelomvattend havikskruid, stengelomvattend havikskruid subsp. amplexicaule, stengelomvattend havikskruid subsp. speluncarum
Deu: stengelumfassendes habichtskraut, stängelumfassendes habichtskraut
Eng: sticky hawkweed
En: Sticky Hawkweed
Nl: Stengelomvattend havikskruid, Stengelomvattend havikskruid subsp. amplexicaule, Stengelomvattend havikskruid subsp. speluncarum
Fr: Eperviaire amplexicaule, Epervière embrassante, Épervière amplexicaule, Épervière embrassante, Épervière à feuilles embrassantes
De: Stängelumfassendes Habichtskraut, Stengelumfassendes Habichtskraut
It: Sparviere con foglie abbraccianti, Sparviere a foglie abbraccianti
Sl: Obrasla škržolica

Synonyms

• Hieracium amplexicaule subsp. segranum ((Arv.-Touv.) Zahn)

Distribution

• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Corse (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Italy (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jun 30, 2022 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2022 by Ilaria Mosti (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 30, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2019 by parramon marta (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 2, 2022 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 13, 2016 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2022 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 2, 2022 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2019 by parramon marta (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 9, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 30, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 25, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 26, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Pierre LESPINASSE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 20, 2018 by Catherine Bouvard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2022 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 27, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 2, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 8, 2022 by Michel Michel MONTEIL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3136320)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:214716-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Hieracium amplexicaule L.)

Specifications

Growth

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’]