Rough Hawkbit
When the wildflower meadow was sown in 2016 Rough Hawkbit was part of the mix, but unfortunately never seemed to get established. However, in 2018 we made a bid for funding through the Pollinator Grant Scheme run by Notts. Wildlife Trust and were lucky enough to gain funding for plug plants of four different varieties of wildflower, all native to the area.
One of these varieties was Rough Hawkbit which, although fairly common, has never been found on the Green so we’re pleased to report that these plugs have become established and we now have a small, but thriving colony of this plant.
Rough Hawkbit is a member of the Daisy family and resembles at first glance another Daisy - the very common Dandelion. The flowers are very similar, although the Hawkbit’s never get as big as a Dandelion’s can and is less regular - in fact it’s described as a bit of a “mop-head” in one guide book. Closer inspection reveals that the Hawkbit’s stem is covered in tiny hairs whereas the Dandelion is hairless. The Dandelion’s stem is hollow and weeps white sap if cut. If the more solid Hawkbit stem is cut it weeps a bluish-white sap. The leaves are also a good indicator of species. The Dandelion leaf is sharply lobed with just a few hairs, or hairless and usually spreads horizontally close to the ground. The leaves of the Hawkbit are very hairy, grow in a more up-right fashion and are variable from just having a wavy edge to being deeply lobed.
You can see Rough Hawkbit near the main gate alongside the path that runs up to the top of the Green.
One of these varieties was Rough Hawkbit which, although fairly common, has never been found on the Green so we’re pleased to report that these plugs have become established and we now have a small, but thriving colony of this plant.
Rough Hawkbit is a member of the Daisy family and resembles at first glance another Daisy - the very common Dandelion. The flowers are very similar, although the Hawkbit’s never get as big as a Dandelion’s can and is less regular - in fact it’s described as a bit of a “mop-head” in one guide book. Closer inspection reveals that the Hawkbit’s stem is covered in tiny hairs whereas the Dandelion is hairless. The Dandelion’s stem is hollow and weeps white sap if cut. If the more solid Hawkbit stem is cut it weeps a bluish-white sap. The leaves are also a good indicator of species. The Dandelion leaf is sharply lobed with just a few hairs, or hairless and usually spreads horizontally close to the ground. The leaves of the Hawkbit are very hairy, grow in a more up-right fashion and are variable from just having a wavy edge to being deeply lobed.
You can see Rough Hawkbit near the main gate alongside the path that runs up to the top of the Green.