Hawkbits are rather dandelion-like yellow daisies. Three types of Hawkbit are seen in the Wildlife Site hayfields, namely Rough Hawkbit (Leontodon hispidus), Autumn Hawkbit (Leontodon autumnalis or Scorzoneroides autumnalis) and Common Cat's-ear (Hypochaeris radicata).
Rough Hawkbit has yellow dandelion-like flowers on slender, unbranched, hairy stems. It flowers from June to September. It ranked in first place for nectar production among the "non-weed" perennials examined in a recent study for meadow flora nectar productivity. Rough Hawkbit can be seen in small groups in the hay meadows, particularly near to the public footpath at the top of Fields 1 and 2.
Autumn Hawkbit flowers from June to October. It has smooth stems with more than one branch, each branch topped by a single flower. It is seen at the bottom of Field 2 in large numbers before hay making and some even after haymaking.
Common Cat's-ear occurs rarely in Field 1. It is rather similar to Autumn Hawkbit but has very small leafy scales, which some say resemble cat's ears, spaced along the infrequently branched slender stems.
Photographs of Hawkbits
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Further Information
For further information on the species in this group, please click the links below:
Rough Hawkbit Autumn Hawkbit Common Cat's-ear
