FOX AND CUBS

[Orange Hawkweed]

Pilosella/Hieracium Aurantiaca

Daisy Family [Asteraceae]

July.

Photo: © RWD

On waste ground. Leaves sparsely covered in long hairs, especially on the edges.

8th June 2005, Monsall Dale, Derbyshire.

Photo: © RWD

Common in churchyards.

25th June 2005, Churchyard, Chinley, Derbyshire,

Photo: © RWD

It spreads, multiplying prolifically, by a creeping root system.

25th June 2005, Churchyard, Chinley, Derbyshire,

Photo: © RWD

25th June 2005, Churchyard, Chinley, Derbyshire,

Photo: © RWD

3rd June 2005, Red Rock, Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Wigan.

Photo: © RWD

3rd June 2005, Red Rock, Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Wigan.

Photo: © RWD

4th Oct 2005, Birchover, Derbyshire.

Photo: © RWD

4th Oct 2005, Birchover, Derbyshire.

Photo: © RWD

4th Oct 2005, Birchover, Derbyshire.

Photo: © RWD

The seed clocks are smaller than dandelion seed clocks.

4th Oct 2005, Birchover, Derbyshire.

Photo: © RWD

But the seeds carried by the 'parachutes' look more robust.

Being an orange hawkweed, this flower has uniquely identifiable characteristics. There is also a 'Yellow Fox & Cubs'.

Confusion: There are three slightly differing Fox and Cubs, any number of which may be represented here in photographs.

The name of 'Fox and Cubs' refers to the way that many of the as-yet un-opened flower heads hide beneath those that have opened. The seed-head of orange hawkweed is both smaller and coarser than that of the dandelion, to which it is related.

Fox and Cubs is often found in churchyards and graveyards, but can equally be found in the garden.

There are several sub-species of Fox and Cubs, shown here could be any number of them. They are native to alpine Europe, growing on mountains at up to 2.6km above sea level, and were introduced to the UK as a garden plant.

The Genus that Fox and Clubs is in, Pilosella (Mouse-ear Hawkweeds) is a sub-genus of Hieracium (Hawkweeds).

ANY TEXT GOES HERE

Distribution
family8Daisy family8dandelion family8Asteraceae

BSBI maps

Pilosella