Crepis bakeri subsp. cusickii
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Crepis bakeri subsp. cusickii is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by very small size, sagebrush habitat, and few flower heads.
Cusick's hawksbeard is a California native perennial found in the high Cascade Range in sagebrush scrub at elevations of 1,200 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces yellow flowers in heads with 1 to 4 clusters, approximately 13 to 17 millimeters wide when fruiting. Growing with compact stems 8 to 16 centimeters tall, it develops a low-growing, clustered form. Its leaves extend 8 to 12 centimeters long, deeply divided into triangular lobes with dentate edges, covered in soft, woolly tomentose surfaces. The fruit develops 6 to 9 millimeters long with a distinctively tapered tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; distinguished by very small size, sagebrush habitat, and few flower heads
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sagebrush scrub
Elevation: 1200-2200 m
Outside California: to Oregon, Utah
Bloom period
Crepis bakeri subsp. cusickii blooms Jun-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Hypochaeris: Hypochaeris has mostly leafless stems with tiny bracts; Crepis has well-developed leaves up the stem.; vs Taraxacum: Taraxacum has all leaves basal with leafless stems; Crepis has leaves ascending the branched stem.; vs Agoseris: Agoseris has leafless flower stems from basal rosettes; Crepis has leafy branched stems.; vs Sonchus: Sonchus has clasping stem leaves with spiny margins; Crepis leaves are typically not clasping or spiny.; vs Helminthotheca: Helminthotheca has bristly leaves and bracts; Crepis typically lacks the dense bristly covering.
Frequently asked questions
Is Crepis bakeri subsp. cusickii native to California?
Yes. Crepis bakeri subsp. cusickii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Crepis bakeri subsp. cusickii bloom?
Crepis bakeri subsp. cusickii blooms Jun-Jul.
What plant family does Crepis bakeri subsp. cusickii belong to?
Crepis bakeri subsp. cusickii is in the Asteraceae family, genus Crepis.
What habitat does Crepis bakeri subsp. cusickii grow in?
Crepis bakeri subsp. cusickii grows in Sagebrush scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.