Wall hawkweed is a European native that has found its way to North America
prior to 1900. The
rather curious name comes from its affinity for rocky slopes and walls.
Identification: Plants are 10-24″ (25-60 cm) in height,
with hairy stems. Only 3-6 leaves
appear at the base of the plant, sometimes with two or three more
on the stems. Leaves are elliptic, 1¾-4″ (5-11 cm) × ⅞-1¾″ (2.5-4.5 cm),
sometimes mottled with purple. Leaves are unusual in shape, wide at the base, with
large, forward-pointing teeth that fall somewhere between the designation of "tooth" vs. "lobe."
Flower heads appear as 5-8 corymbs. Flowers are yellow,
with 30-50 or more florets, about ½″ (1.3 cm) in size. They flower in June.