Get To Know: Hawkweed

Get To Know: Hawkweed

From Herbs N Weeds by Luke

June 25, 2025 · 9 min · Season 1 · Episode 11

About this episode

This episode explores the identification, historical uses, and medicinal benefits of Hawkweed.

🌼 How to Identify Hawkweed 🔍 Key Features: * Botanical Name: Hieracium spp. (most commonly Hieracium pilosella, also called Pilosella officinarum) * Common Names: Mouse-ear hawkweed, yellow hawkweed, king devil, devil’s paintbrush (orange-flowered types) * Family: Asteraceae (daisy family) 🌿 Description: FeatureDetailsHeight4–12 inches (10–30 cm)LeavesOblong or spoon-shaped, covered in fine hairs, form a basal rosetteStemLeafless, hairy, often reddish or purplish, one flower per stalkFlowersBright yellow, dandelion-like, bloom in late spring–summerGrowth HabitSpreads via runners/stolons, forming dense mats 🌱 Habitat: * Dry, sandy soils, meadows, roadsides, rocky clearings * Native to Europe and Asia, now naturalized in North America The app that I use on my phone and recommend is Plantnet . 📜 Historical Uses of Hawkweed 🏺 Ancient & Traditional Uses: * The name “hawkweed” comes from the ancient belief (from Pliny the Elder) that hawks ate the plant to sharpen their eyesight. * Used traditionally as a diuretic, lung remedy, and wound herb. * Employed in European folk medicine for: * Coughs and bronchitis * Kidney and bladder issues * Bleeding and wounds (applied…

People in this episode

Host: Luke

Topics covered

  • Hawkweed identification
  • Medicinal uses
  • Botanical features
  • Traditional uses
  • Herbalism

Keywords

  • Hawkweed
  • Hieracium spp.
  • medicinal benefits
  • traditional uses
  • plant identification

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Plantnet

Books & works: Pliny the Elder

Places: Europe, Asia, North America

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