- Wildlife
- Wildflowers
- Mouse-ear Hawkweed
Steve Chilton
About
Mouse-ear Hawkweed is a spreading plant of dry grasslands with short turf and chalky soils such as those of sand dunes, heaths, cliff tops and chalk downlands. Looking a bit like a ragged version of its relative the Common Dandelion, its lemon yellow flower heads are also a composite of lots of tiny flowers. These flower heads can be seen from May to October and attract a variety of insects. It is sometimes considered an agricultural weed of poor lawns and degraded pastures.
How to identify
Mouse-ear Hawkweed has lemon yellow flower heads displaying closely packed florets (tiny flowers); the outer florets are red underneath. Its leaves are spoon-shaped and downy and form a rosette at the base of the flower stem.
Where to find it
Widespread.
Habitats
When to find it
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
How can people help
The Wildlife Trusts manage many grassland and coastal habitats for the benefit of all kinds of wildlife. Careful grazing with traditional breeds, hay-cutting at the right time and scrub clearance are just some of the ways these fragile habitats are kept in good condition - supporting wildflowers and, in turn, invertebrates and the larger animals that prey on them. By volunteering for your local Trust you can help too, and you'll make new friends and learn new skills along the way.