Farwell’s Hawkweed: A Rare Michigan Native Worth Knowing About
If you’re a native plant enthusiast with a passion for the truly unique, you might be intrigued by Hieracium ×grohii var. farwellii, commonly known as hawkweed. This perennial forb represents one of nature’s more specialized creations—a hybrid variety that calls Michigan home and nowhere else in the world.
What Makes This Hawkweed Special?
Farwell’s hawkweed belongs to the fascinating world of plant hybrids, as indicated by the × symbol in its scientific name. This means it arose from the natural crossing of two different hawkweed species, creating something entirely new. As a perennial forb, it’s an herbaceous plant that lacks woody stems but returns year after year, storing its energy in underground structures during winter months.
Where You’ll Find It (Spoiler Alert: It’s Exclusive!)
Here’s where things get really interesting—this hawkweed variety is found only in Michigan. That’s right, this little plant is a true Michigan endemic, making it one of the state’s botanical treasures. While hawkweeds as a group can be found across North America, this particular variety has made Michigan its one and only home.
Should You Try Growing It?
Here’s where we need to pump the brakes a bit. While the idea of growing such a unique, Michigan-exclusive plant might sound appealing, there’s a catch—we simply don’t know enough about this particular variety to provide reliable growing advice. The rarity and specialized nature of Hieracium ×grohii var. farwellii means that detailed horticultural information is scarce.
What we do know is that it’s a native perennial, which typically means it’s well-adapted to local conditions. However, without specific information about its:
- Preferred growing conditions
- Soil requirements
- Light needs
- Hardiness zones
- Propagation methods
- Availability in the nursery trade
We can’t responsibly recommend it for home gardens.
The Responsible Approach
If you’re passionate about supporting Michigan’s native flora, consider these alternatives:
- Plant other native Michigan hawkweeds that are better understood and more widely available
- Focus on well-documented native perennials that provide similar ecological benefits
- Support botanical research and conservation efforts in Michigan
- Contact local native plant societies or botanical gardens for guidance on rare species
A Plant Worth Protecting
Even if we can’t grow Farwell’s hawkweed in our gardens, we can appreciate its significance. As a hybrid variety with such limited distribution, it represents the incredible diversity and specialization that can occur in nature. It’s a reminder that our native plant communities contain hidden gems that deserve our respect and protection.
Sometimes the most valuable plants aren’t the ones we can easily grow at home, but the ones that inspire us to think more deeply about conservation and the intricate relationships within our natural ecosystems. Hieracium ×grohii var. farwellii is definitely one of those plants—a small but significant piece of Michigan’s botanical heritage that enriches our understanding of native plant diversity.
