Leontodon saxatilis

Lesser Hawkbit, Hairy Hawkbit at Gang Gang at Yass River

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Identification history

Leontodon saxatilis	21 Jan 2024	natureguy
Hypochaeris radicata	20 Jan 2024	Tapirlord
Leontodon saxatilis	20 Jan 2024	SueMcIntyre

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User's notes

This species has multiplied dramatically over the recent run of wet years.

8 comments

Tapirlord wrote:

20 Jan 2024

How come? Rosettes look like Hypochaeris to me?

natureguy wrote:

20 Jan 2024

I mean you're probably right actually, especially in such large numbers as well, I was just looking at the seedheads and flwoers which looked okay for Leontodon but yeah probably Hypochaeris in reality

SueMcIntyre wrote:

20 Jan 2024

I know both species really well and pull them out constantly (not that population!). The fewer ligulate florets and narrower leaves give it away. I have had this confirmed by Brendan Lepschi (Herbarium) in previous years. So I am confident about this.

SueMcIntyre wrote:

20 Jan 2024

Leontodon has a preference for very wet sites and has benefited from the wet years and growing in higher parts of the landscape, at least for a while.

natureguy wrote:

21 Jan 2024

Thanks Sue, I agree with your comments about it prefering wet sites, makes sense. I'm also glad my initial thoughts were correct re this ID, so I'll reinstate the confirmation.

SueMcIntyre wrote:

21 Jan 2024

Thanks Natureguy
For some groups such as these, photos can be inadequate (not to mention poor photography), but I thought the shift in this species might be a regional phenomenon.

Tapirlord wrote:

21 Jan 2024

Mmmm

SueMcIntyre wrote:

21 Jan 2024

Other characters evident from the photo are the numerous, fine, unbranched scapes and the maturing capitulum, which is more strongly turbinate than those of Hypochaeris radicata.

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