Plant DetailShow Menu

Asiatic Youngia japonica

Previously known as:

  • Crepis japonica
  • Japanese Hawksweed
  • P. multiflora
  • Prenanthes japonica
  • Y. thunbergiana
Phonetic Spelling
YOUNG-ee-a juh-PON-ih-kuh
Description

Hawksbeard, in the Asteraceae (daisy) family, is a weedy summer annual herb that can be found growing as an agricultural or environmental weed, and often persisting year-round. Seedlings form a rosette resembling a small sowthistle (Sonchus spp.) but leaves are hairy. Upper leaves are more linear and lack a stalk, and a milky sap is emitted when leaves are torn. In contrast to dandelion, narrowleaf hawksbeard plants have leaves on the flowering stem, and plants can become highly branched. In the rosette stage (i.e., before the flowering stem has bolted upward), it is much trickier to differentiate between narrowleaf hawksbeard and dandelion.

The inflorescence stalk is generally leafless (but occasionally with up to 3 leaves), branched at the top, and 6 to 15 inches (occasionally to 3 feet) tall. Flowers are yellow, and dandelion-like but only about 1/2 inch in diameter. Seed heads are dandelion-like, about 1/4 to 1/2 inches in diameter, and seeds are wind dispersed. Do not let plants go to seed. Hawksbeard appears to be well managed by available pre-emergence herbicides; however, herbicide efficacy rankings for this species are based on limited experimental data.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  This plant is weedy and listed as invasive by the NC Invasive Plant Council

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#yellow flowers#winter annual weed#high maintenance#fast growing#aggressive#skipper butterflies#naturalizes#wind dispersed seeds#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#yellow flowers#winter annual weed#high maintenance#fast growing#aggressive#skipper butterflies#naturalizes#wind dispersed seeds#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Youngia
    Species:
    japonica
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Hawksbeard has possible edible and medicinal properties.
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Tropical & Subtropical Asia
    Distribution:
    Found throughout the Southeast and Texas, and as far north as Pennsylvania.
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts Burnsius butterflies which is a new genus of the checkered skipper.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Edibility:
    The young leaves can be eaten cooked or raw.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Edible
    Weed
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    White
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    Brownish, with white pappus. Dispersed by the wind.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Orange
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    more than 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Branched flowering stem between 1/2 and 3 ft. tall. Florets are ligulate 1/2 in. in diameter with many long, thin petals. The flowers are bright yellow and may be tipped with dark brown to black.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Spatulate
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Rosette of light green, hairy leaves, upper leaves linear and lacking a stalk. Leaves are sometimes present on flowering stems. Emits a white, milky sap when damaged.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
  • Landscape:
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Problems:
    Weedy