HIERACIUM, BAWKWEED; a genus of the order of polygamia æqualis, belonging to the syngenesia class of plants.
Species. 1. The aurantiacum, commonly called grim the collier, hath many oblong oval entire leaves, crowning the root; an upright, single, hairy, and almost leafless stalk, a foot high, terminated by reddish orange-coloured flowers in a corymbus. These flowers have dark oval ash-coloured calyces; whence the name of grim the collier. 2. The pilosella or mouse-ear, hath blossoms red on the outside, and pale yellow within; the cups set thick with black hairs. The flowers open at eight in the morning, and close about two in the afternoon. 3. The umbellatum grows to the height of three feet, with an erect and firm stalk, terminated with an umbel of yellow flowers.
Culture. The first is the only species cultivated in gardens. It is propagated by seeds, or parting the roots. The seed may be sown in autumn or spring. In June, when the plants are grown two or three inches high, they may be picked out and planted in beds, where they must remain till the next autumn, and then transplanted where they are to remain.
Properties. The second species is common in dry pastures in England; it has a milky juice, but is less bitter and astringent than is usual with plants of that class. It is reckoned hurtful to sheep. An insect of the cochineal genus, (Coccus Polonicus) is often found at the roots, (Alt. Upsal. 1752.) Goats eat it; sheep are not fond of it; horses and swine refuse it.—
The third species is a native of Scotland, and grows in rough stony places, but is not very common. The flowers are sometimes used for dying yarn of a fine yellow colour.