hawkweed

I have since learned that the plant is Hieracium aurantiacum from Europe, a kind of hawkweed.

The heath glittered in the sun, the withered hawkweed crackled at his feet, a warm wind blew softly towards him.

One species at least is a common wayside flower, and this is the Shrubby Hawkweed (H. boreale).

For the same reason I had rather say “hawkweed” than “hieracium”; the homelier word has more of kindly friendship.