Stinking Hawksbeard: A Rare Garden Visitor You Probably Haven’t Met
Have you ever stumbled across a plant name that made you do a double-take? Meet stinking hawksbeard (Crepis foetida var. rhoeadifolia), a plant with a name that’s certainly memorable, if not exactly marketing-friendly. This lesser-known member of the sunflower family represents one of those botanical curiosities that most gardeners will never encounter, but it’s worth knowing about nonetheless.
What Exactly Is Stinking Hawksbeard?
Stinking hawksbeard is a non-woody flowering plant, technically called a forb, that can live as either a biennial or perennial depending on conditions. Like other members of its family, it lacks the woody stems of shrubs and trees, instead producing soft, herbaceous growth that emerges from buds at or below ground level each growing season.
This particular variety belongs to the genus Crepis, commonly known as hawksbeards, which are related to dandelions and other familiar yellow-flowered weeds you might recognize from your lawn or local fields.
Where Does It Come From and Where Can You Find It?
As a non-native species, stinking hawksbeard originally hails from Europe but has made its way to North America, where it now reproduces on its own in the wild. In the United States, it’s been documented in Wisconsin, though its presence may be quite limited even there.
The fact that it’s only confirmed in one state suggests this plant is either very rare, very new to our continent, or perhaps just flying under the radar of most botanists and gardeners.
Should You Grow Stinking Hawksbeard in Your Garden?
Here’s where things get tricky. With so little information available about this specific variety, it’s difficult to make strong recommendations either way. We don’t know if it’s invasive, beneficial to wildlife, or even readily available from nurseries or seed suppliers.
What we can say is that as a non-native plant, it won’t provide the same ecological benefits as native alternatives. If you’re interested in supporting local wildlife and pollinators, you’d be better served by choosing native plants that have co-evolved with your local ecosystem.
Native Alternatives to Consider Instead
Rather than hunting for this elusive hawksbeard variety, consider these native alternatives that offer similar benefits:
- Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) – A native forb with fragrant flowers beloved by pollinators
- Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) – A hardy perennial that supports birds and butterflies
- Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia species) – Cheerful yellow flowers that bloom for months
- Wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) – Delicate native flowers perfect for woodland gardens
The Mystery of Limited Information
One of the most interesting things about stinking hawksbeard is how little we actually know about it in cultivation. This could mean several things: it might be extremely rare, difficult to grow, or simply not noteworthy enough to have caught the attention of gardeners and researchers.
Sometimes the most obscure plants turn out to be hidden gems, while others remain obscure for good reason. Without more information about its growing requirements, appearance, or ecological impact, it’s impossible to say which category this plant falls into.
A Final Thought for Plant Enthusiasts
While stinking hawksbeard might not be the next big thing in native gardening (since it’s not native anyway), it serves as a good reminder that the plant world is full of mysteries and lesser-known species waiting to be discovered or rediscovered.
If you’re passionate about supporting biodiversity in your garden, focus on well-documented native plants that you know will thrive in your area and provide real benefits to local wildlife. Save the botanical treasure hunts for plants with better-known credentials and clearer conservation value.
