Get started identifying a range of widespread yellow composites with a new simplified crib
Thank you all so much for continuing to read and download recent entries in this series of accessible plant cribs. They are evolving overtime and it is great to hear your feedback!
After tackling willowherbs, I wanted to try something different base the next of these cribs on your feedback. Shock horror, it turns out the two groups you want to see tackled are yellow composites and grasses. I may need a stiff drink before turning my attention to the latter, but we can certainly give the flowers a go!
Now, most of us are familiar with the Dandelions that brighten up grassy areas with their yellow flowers come spring and summer. In many cases, however, a plant which looks like a Dandelion may not actually be so. Instead, there are several superfisically similar plants – the hawkbits, hawk’s-beards, cat’s-ears and sow-thistles – that share a similar look. Each of these shares the familiar yellow flower head making it necessary to examine other parts of the plant. Most notably, the leaves, phyllaries and often, the stem.
Another excellent resource, created by the Norfolk Flora Group, is also worth a look and can be found here.
Identifying Yellow Composites
Yellow composites are a diverse and slightly daunting group. Here, we’ll aim to cover the species botanists are most likely to encounter while out and about in the North East though the information shared should apply equally well elsewhere in the UK. This crib addresses the following species:
- Lesser Hawkbit
- Rough Hawkbit
- Autumn Hawkbit
- Smooth Hawk’s-beard
- Beaked Hawk’s-beard
- Rough Hawk’s-beard
- Mouse-ear Hawkweed
- Smooth Sow-thistle
- Prickly Sow-thistle
- Perennial Sow-thistle
Enjoying this series? Please consider sharing this page with friends or better still, providing a back-link so that more people can find it. If you have any suggestions for further groups to cover, I’d love to hear from you.