Pilosella spp. syn. Hieracium spp.
Hawkweed
Family: Asteraceae
Origin: Europe
Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP) status
- Whole region — Sustained control
- National Pest Plant Accord Species
General description
Small perennial broadleaf herbs with milky sap. Stoloniferous, with an extensive underground root system. Leaves are narrow and in a basal rosette or along the stem. Flowerheads are dandelion-like and yellow/orange in spring – summer. Seeds are 4-8 mm long and have fluffy, dirty-white hairs.
What you need to know
To help protect our environment:
- You must not breed, distribute, release or sell hawkweed. As hawkweed is a National Pest Plant Accord species, these restrictions apply within the Auckland region and across the whole of New Zealand.
- You must not plant hawkweed within the Auckland region, unless you are transferring an existing plant on your land to another location within the boundaries of the same property.
- You must destroy any hawkweed on land that you occupy if it has been planted in breach of the above rules and you are directed to do so by an authorised person.
Habitats
Tussock, grasslands, scrubland, forest, roadsides, riparian margins.
Dispersal
Seeds dispersed by wind and attachment to clothing and animal pelts. Vegetative spread in some species from rhizomes and stolons. Human-mediated dispersal through dumping of garden waste.
Impact on environment
Reduces feed plant cover and pasture productivity. Potential to exclude native plant species from grasslands, scrubland and riparian margins.
Control
Site Management
Follow up treated areas 3 times per year. Encourage natural regeneration of native plants or replant treated areas where possible after 2-3 treatments to establish dense ground cover and minimise reinvasion.
Recommended approaches
Physical control
Method: Dig out.
Plant parts requiring disposal: Seeds, rhizomes and stolons.
Disposal options: Remove to greenwaste or landfill if practical.
Biocontrol
Biocontrol is currently not available for this species.
Community agrichemical control recommendations
Certified Handler/Experienced agrichemical user: Foliar spray with 5g metsulfuron-methyl per 10L of water and 20ml penetrant.
For infestations amongst desirable species: Foliar spray with 25ml clopyralid per 10L of water and 20ml penetrant (not for use in home gardens).
Caution: When using any herbicide or pesticide please read the label thoroughly to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.
