Hieracium bolanderi
Bolander's hawkweed
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Hieracium bolanderi (Bolander's hawkweed) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by small stature and few flowers per head distinctive.
Bolander's hawkweed is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges and northern coastal ranges in dry forest habitats at elevations of 300 to 2,700 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces yellow flowers in small clusters with 6 to 12 flower heads. Growing 10 to 30 centimeters tall with simple or few-branched stems that are glabrous or slightly hairy, it has a distinctive growth pattern. Its leaves are mostly basal, widely oblanceolate, 2 to 7 centimeters long, with long hairs on the upper surface and generally smooth undersides except for hairy midveins. The fruit is approximately 4 millimeters long with a brownish pappus 5 to 8 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; small stature and few flowers per head distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry forest
Elevation: 300-2700 m
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Hieracium bolanderi blooms Jun-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Pilosella: Pilosella has stolons (runners) spreading along the ground; Hieracium lacks these horizontal stems.; vs Daucus: Daucus has umbel flower clusters and carrot-scented foliage; Hieracium has dandelion-like heads and lacks carrot scent.; vs Adelinia: Adelinia has beaked seeds; Hieracium seeds attach directly to pappus without any beak.; vs Heterotheca: Heterotheca has ray and disk flowers (daisy-like); Hieracium has only strap-shaped flowers.; vs Rafinesquia: Rafinesquia has smooth or sparsely hairy stems; Hieracium is densely long-hairy especially below.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hieracium bolanderi native to California?
Yes. Hieracium bolanderi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hieracium bolanderi bloom?
Hieracium bolanderi blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Hieracium bolanderi belong to?
Hieracium bolanderi is in the Asteraceae family, genus Hieracium.
What habitat does Hieracium bolanderi grow in?
Hieracium bolanderi grows in dry forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.