Is mainly a South Island, greenhood denizen of high country pasture standing only say 60mm tall with several brownish flowers only about 12mm long. There is a basal rosette of ovate 12mm long leaves. Flowering can be any time from October to January. Hieracium pilosella, the scourge of S.I. high country, actually fosters H. tristis which can stand above this flat-weed. Minutely toothed lower margin to the lateral petals and a labellum appendage which points inwards, distinguish it from the similar H. tanypoda.