Pilosella aurantiaca (L.) F.W.Schultz & Sch.Bip.
Devil's Paint-brush
Fox-and-cubs, also called orange hawkweed, is an instantly recognisable perennial topped with clusters of glowing orange to brick-red dandelion-like flowerheads, the deep "fox" buds nestled among the open "cubs". It forms ground-hugging rosettes of bristly leaves and spreads enthusiastically by surface runners (stolons), the flowering stems rising to around 20-40cm and clothed in dark, gland-tipped hairs.
About
Fox-and-cubs, also called orange hawkweed, is an instantly recognisable perennial topped with clusters of glowing orange to brick-red dandelion-like flowerheads, the deep "fox" buds nestled among the open "cubs". It forms ground-hugging rosettes of bristly leaves and spreads enthusiastically by surface runners (stolons), the flowering stems rising to around 20-40cm and clothed in dark, gland-tipped hairs.
Despite its naturalised appearance it is not a British native: it comes from the mountains of central and southern Europe and was grown here as a garden plant by the early seventeenth century, escaping into the wild from the late eighteenth century onwards. It is now one of the commonest aliens of regularly mown grassland, churchyards, verges, banks and waste ground, and can spread vigorously. The flowers are visited by bees and hoverflies, and it brings unusual colour to informal planting, but its running habit and garden-escape status mean it is best used where some spread is acceptable.
Also known as
Devil's-paintbrush · Fox and Cubs · Fox-And-Cubs · Fox-and-Cubs · Grim-the-collier · Orange Hawkweed
Synonyms
Hieracium aurantiacum aurantiacum · Hieracium aurantiacum aureopurpureum · Hieracium aurantiacum valdersianum · Hieracium hinterhuberi · Pilosella aurantiaca aurantiaca · Pilosella carpathicola
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.