Hieracium pannosum – Woolly Hawkweed
- Jun 21
- 2 min read
Explore Hieracium pannosum (Woolly Hawkweed) – its characteristics, habitat, cultivation, propagation, and functional uses and benefits.
Hieracium pannosum | Botanical Characteristics
Common Names: Woolly Hawkweed
Family: Asteraceae
Appearance: A perennial herb forming dense basal rosettes of thick, grey-green, woolly leaves covered with soft hairs. Produces erect flowering stems bearing bright yellow dandelion-like flower heads during late spring and summer.
Type: Perennial
Evergreen / Deciduous: N/A
Layer: Groundcover
Root System: Short, woody rhizome/rootstock with a deep taproot when young
Height: 0.1–0.5 m
Width: 0.2–0.5 m
Lifespan: Long-lived
Growth Rate: Moderate
Fertility: Self-fertile
Flowers: Hermaphroditic
Pollinator: Bees and other insects
Toxicity: Generally considered non-toxic
Hieracium pannosum | Habitat and Cultivation
Range
Native Range: Southern and southeastern Europe, including the Balkan Peninsula and parts of the Mediterranean region
Companionship: Well adapted to rocky grasslands and open sunny habitats; coexists with drought-tolerant herbaceous species
Invasive Range: Not generally considered invasive
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5–9
Minimum Chill Hours Required: None
Resistance/Tolerance
Poor Soil: High tolerance
Drought: High tolerance once established
Shade: Low tolerance – prefers open sunny locations
Flood: Low tolerance
Wind: High tolerance
Maritime: Moderate tolerance
Air Pollution: Moderate tolerance
Fire: Low to moderate tolerance
Thriving Conditions
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Moisture: Low to moderate; prefers well-drained soils
Soil Type: Rocky, sandy, or well-drained loamy soils
Soil pH: Neutral to alkaline
Propagation
Seeds: Yes; readily propagated from seed
Division: Yes – mature clumps can be divided
Cuttings: Not applicable
Hieracium pannosum | Functional Uses and Benefits
Permalogica cannot take any responsibility for any adverse reactions or health effects from using plants. Always consult a professional before using plants for medicinal purposes.
Edible: No well-documented edible use
Medicinal: No significant documented medicinal use
Cosmetics: No documented use
Animal Feed: Occasionally grazed by wildlife and livestock when young
Fiber: No
Timber: Not applicable
Firewood: Not applicable
Wind Break: No
Fence: No
Cover Crop: No
Mulch: No
Nitrogen Fixer: No
Dynamic Accumulator: No confirmed data
Pollinator Attractor: Yes – flowers attract bees and other pollinating insects
Pest Repellent: No
Wildlife Supporter: Provides nectar and pollen for pollinators
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