Hieracium nudicaule
Naked-stemmed hawkweed
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Hieracium nudicaule (Naked-stemmed hawkweed) is a native California perennial in the Asteraceae family, recognized by naked stem and high flower count per head distinctive.
Naked-stemmed hawkweed is a California native perennial found in the high Sierra Nevada Mountains and Cascade Range in openings of chaparral and conifer forest at elevations of 1,800 to 3,500 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces yellow flowers in heads 5 to 12 clustered on branched peduncles. Growing with simple stems 20 to 50 centimeters tall that are initially hairy near the base and generally glabrous toward the top, it forms a sparse, upright profile. Its leaves are primarily basal, lance-shaped and 5 to 12 centimeters long, with surfaces covered in long branched hairs and edges that are nearly entire or minutely toothed. The fruit is 2.5 to 3 millimeters long with a white or straw-colored pappus.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; naked stem and high flower count per head distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Openings in chaparral and conifer forest
Elevation: 1800-3500 m
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Hieracium nudicaule blooms Jun-Sep.
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 nudicaule native to California?
Yes. Hieracium nudicaule is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hieracium nudicaule bloom?
Hieracium nudicaule blooms Jun-Sep.
What plant family does Hieracium nudicaule belong to?
Hieracium nudicaule is in the Asteraceae family, genus Hieracium.
What habitat does Hieracium nudicaule grow in?
Hieracium nudicaule grows in Openings in chaparral and conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.