Oriental Hawksbeard Youngia japonica
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Crepis japonica
- Japanese Hawksweed
- P. multiflora
- Prenanthes japonica
- Y. thunbergiana
- Phonetic Spelling
- YOUNG-ee-a juh-PON-ih-kuh
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Edible
- Weed
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
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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
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- White
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Brownish, with white pappus. Dispersed by the wind.
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
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Landscape:
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Problems:
- Weedy
