SafePlants

Hawksbeard: A Diverse Genus of Flowering Plants

Hawksbeard, belonging to the genus Crepis, encompasses a wide array of annual and perennial flowering plants. These plants are members of the Asteraceae family, also known as the daisy, composite, or sunflower family, a group recognized as one of the largest and most widespread families of flowering plants.

Considerations for Pets

• Some species, like narrowleaf hawksbeard (Crepis tectorum), can grow to a size of 30–100 centimetres (12–39 in).

Considerations for Children

• Hawksbeards bear dandelion-like flower heads.
• Some hawksbeard species have basal rosettes with flower shoots that grow in spring.

Scientific Classification

• Genus: Crepis
• Family: Asteraceae (Daisy, Composite, or Sunflower family)

Common Names

• Hawksbeard
• Hawk's-beard
• Large Flower Hawksbeard
• Gray Hawksbeard
• Western Hawksbeard
• Narrowleaf Hawksbeard
• Narrow-leaved Hawk's-beard

Subspecies

• Crepis occidentalis subsp. conjuncta
• Crepis occidentalis subsp. pumila

Distribution and Habitat

• Crepis capillaris (Smooth Hawksbeard) is native to Europe.
• Crepis occidentalis var. occidentalis (Western Hawksbeard) is found in foothills.
• Crepis tectorum (Narrowleaf Hawksbeard) has an original stand in Finland.
• Crepis jacquinii (Jacquin's Hawksbeard) grows in rough scree in the Alps, specifically in Switzerland and Italy.

Morphological Characteristics

• Many species have large flower heads composed of many very small flowers.
• Some have basal leaf edges that are toothless or have a few large teeth or shallow, narrow lobes.
• Crepis tectorum (Narrowleaf Hawksbeard) is an annual or winter annual plant.
• Crepis rubra (Pink Hawksbeard) is an annual.

Ecological Role and Interactions

• Uroleucon grossum (Large hawksbeard aphid) feeds on Crepis capillaris (Smooth Hawksbeard).
• Leaves of tapertip hawksbeard are consumed by pre-laying sage grouse hens.

Quirky Facts

• Some consider hawk's-beards to be 'street flowers'.