Orange hawkweed control program
Orange hawkweed is a highly invasive alpine weed that has been found in Fern Tree and South Hobart.
It is the focus of a dedicated effort by the City of Hobart to prevent its spread on kunanyi/Mt Wellington and surrounding foothills.
We’re working closely with local residents to identify and control any orange hawkweed before it becomes more widespread.
We are doing this by checking local properties for the presence of orange hawkweed and, if found, working with the resident to eradicate the weed from their property.
REPORT SIGHTING
Report orange hawkweed sightings
Early detection is essential to prevent this invasive weed from spreading further into Wellington Park. Please inspect your property, especially areas with open, grassy spaces.
If you are a runner, walker, mountain bike rider or day tripper to kunanyi/Mt Wellington please keep an eye out for orange hawkweed over summer, especially around the Springs visitor area, and report any possible sightings.
The photo on this page and our fact sheet(PDF, 1MB) should help you identify the plant.
If you think you have orange hawkweed on your property or have seen it on your travels, please report it to the City of Hobart.
IMPORTANT: it is extremely important you do not disturb any plants that look like orange hawkweed. Disturbance can help spread this environmental weed.
There are several ways you can report your sighting:
- Email a photo of the flower to coh@hobartcity.com.au and include a description of where you found it. Please include your phone number in case we need to get more information about your sighting.
Orange hawkweed report form
Identification
Orange hawkweed is clearly identifiable by its distinctive orange flowers and hairy stems and leaves. It closely resembles the common lawn weeds dandelion and hawkbit, but is far more invasive.
Orange hawkweed is easiest to identify when it is in flower - December through to February.
It's quite a beautiful plant when in flower, its fiery red and orange petals help distinguish it from other plants and make it much easier to identify.
If you think you have orange hawkweed on your property, please contact the City of Hobart on 03 6238 2711.
For help identifying this weed you can download our orange hawkweed identification sheet(PDF, 790KB).
The NSW Government has also created 3D modelling of the weed using Sketchfab:
Orange Hawkweed (Pilosella aurantiaca) FINAL by NSW DPI on Sketchfab
Environmental threat
Orange hawkweed is an aggressive European weed that poses a real threat to Tasmania's alpine and sub-alpine habitats. It can outcompete native grasses and herbs, and eventually take over entire ecosystems.
On the mainland the weed is a scourge of the Australian Alps in both NSW and Victoria, and the focus of a major eradication program.
However, in Tasmania orange hawkweed has been found in just two areas, the Central Highlands and the foothills of kunanyi/Mt Wellington in Fern Tree and South Hobart. It is believed the weed is still present in small enough numbers that it can be eradicated.