Plants 8-30(-40+) cm (herbage often glaucous). Stems proximally piloso-hirsute (hairs 2-5+ mm), distally usually ± piloso-hirsute (hairs 1-3+ mm) and stellate-pubescent, sometimes stipitate-glandular as well. Leaves: basal 3-8+, cauline 0-1(-3); blades elliptic or oval to oblanceolate to lanceolate, 20-70 × 12-25(-40) mm, lengths 1.5-6+ times widths, bases cuneate, margins entire or denticulate, apices rounded to acute, faces piloso-hirsute (hairs 1-3+ mm). Heads 2-5+ in ± corymbiform arrays. Peduncles usually stellate-pubescent, sometimes piloso-hirsute and/or stipitate-glandular as well. Calyculi: bractlets 5-8+. Involucres cylindric to campanulate, (10-)12-15+ mm. Phyllaries 13-16+, apices ± acuminate, abaxial faces usually piloso-hirsute and stellate-pubescent, sometimes stipitate-glandular as well. Florets 15-30+; corollas pale yellow to ochroleucous, 7-13+ mm. Cypselae urceolate, 5-7 mm; pappi of 50-60+, ± stramineous bristles in 2+ series, 5-8+ mm.

Flowering (May-)Jun-Aug(-Sep). Pine woods, near springs; 1400-2900 m; Ariz., Colo., Nev., N.Mex., Tex., Utah, Wyo.; Mexico; Central America (Guatemala).

Duration: Perennial

Nativity: Native

Lifeform: Forb/Herb

General: Herbaceous perennials to 60 cm tall, stems sparsely hirsute, sometimes also stipitate glandular, herbage often glaucous, plants scapose or if with 1-2 small leaves or bracts, then these not at all clasping.

Leaves: Alternate, elliptic or oval to oblanceolate to lanceolate, not at all clasping, copiously to densely hirsute, bases cuneate, margins entire or denticulate, rounded to acute at the tips.

Flowers: Heads small, the corollas yellow, the florets 15-30 or more, involucres 8-15 mm, cylindric to campanulate, bractlets 5-8 or more, phyllaries equal, 13-16 or more, apices acuminate, involucres and stems pilose-hirsute and/or stipitate-glandular, inflorescences borne singly or few in corymbiform arrays.

Fruits: Achenes columnar, tapering from near the base, ribbed. Pappus of brownish or white capillary bristles in series of 2 or more, 5-8 mm long.

Ecology: Found near springs in pine woods and forests, from 6,000-9,500 ft (1829-2896 m); flowering May-August.

Distribution: South Dakota to New Mexico, Arizona, and Mexico.

Notes: This species resembles a yellow chicory when in bloom. Look to the large heads and tapering achenes to help differentiate from H. crepidispermum.

Ethnobotany: A cold infusion of the plant was taken by hunters for anuria, and the leaves were chewed for good luck in hunting

Etymology: Hieracium comes from the Greek hierax, a hawk, while fendleri is named for Augustus Fendler (1813-1883).

Synonyms: Hieracium fendleri var. discolor, Hieracium arsenia, Crepis ambigua, Chlorocrepis fendleri

Editor: LCrumbacher 2011