A slender fella

Hieraceum triste, July 28, 2022

Seedhead, Jack Lake area, 12,400’, August 6, 2022

Common & scientific name
Slender hawkweed, Hieracium triste

Family
Sunflower, Asteraceae

Location
Lincoln Creek area, 9,700’

Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact
This strange, spindly flower is notable largely for the silver and black hairs covering its flower head, which consists solely of ray flowers (“petals”).  As with many sunflowers, after fertilization its flowers create a dandelion-like head of seed-carrying hairs that are disbursed by the wind.