Hieracium murorum

We live in a time of great change. No longer do mountains and oceans limit the march of species across the globe. Humans have become a driver of plant range expansion (and retreat) more so than any other force on earth.

Hieracium mororum 

 Specimen: From Wetmore Landing, on a cobble shore near Lake Superior. North Central Marquette County North of Marquette. Date: 6.12.12.  Collected by Michael Rotter

Hieracium is a horribly difficult genus. This primarily European group is a far way from being resolved (if ever). The recent invasion to North America have complicated the picture of this group. Inbreeding, genetic bottle necks, and founder effects in North America make this a very difficult group. Even comparing our specimens to European ones are not always clear cut. H. mororum can be identified by the hairy basal leaves, yellow heads 5-8, and usually only 1 small cauline leaf. With any of the hawkweeds it is important to look at the local specimens and not strictly try to put it in a group. This specimen above is the first Marquette County collection of this European native.