Youngia japonica (L.) DC.

Asiatic Hawk's Beard; Oriental False Hawk's Beard

Herb

Annual

Vascular

Asiatic Hawk's Beard is an introduced annual or perennial member of the Sunflower family (Asteraceae). It can be found throughout Alabama. Asiatic Hawk's Beard spreads as a contaminant in nursery stock. It is often first seen around newly planted shrubs or trees, in pots with other plants, and in some cheaper potting soils. Asiatic Hawk's Beard grows in flower beds, greenhouses, vacant lots, cracks in sidewalks, disturbed woodlands, and along small creeks. Asiatic Hawk's Beard has a rosette of lyrate basal leaves that are often pinnately lobed, with the terminal lobe being the largest. It produces a thick straight tap root. The flowering stems are usually leafless, but may have one or two small leaves on them. The flowering stems branch near the top and produce four to thirty flower heads. The heads are composed of yellow ray flowers. The fruit is an achene with a tuff of pappus bristles, much like a dandelion fruit. Asiatic Hawk's Beard is difficult to eliminate once established. Check nursery stock before purchasing it for this weed. If you have this pest, try to clip off the flowering stems before they form fruit to prevent it from spreading further. --A. Diamond

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Not Native FACU (NWPL)

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