Crepis modocensis subsp. subacaulis
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Crepis modocensis subsp. subacaulis is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by few large flower heads, stout branched stems, and Sierra Nevada range.
Modoc crepis is a California native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada Mountains on wet meadows and steep slopes at elevations of 1,800 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces yellow flowers in small heads up to 21 millimeters long. Growing with stout stems 6 to 30 centimeters tall that branch near the base and are covered in bristly hairs, it forms a compact plant. Its leaves extend 10 to 15 centimeters long and are somewhat elongated with a rough texture. The fruit develops in dark shades ranging from black to brown or dark red with a pappus 9 to 13 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; distinguished by few large flower heads, stout branched stems, and Sierra Nevada range
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet meadows, steep slopes
Elevation: 1800-2100 m
Outside California: to Oregon, Montana, Nevada
Bloom period
Crepis modocensis subsp. subacaulis blooms May-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 modocensis subsp. subacaulis native to California?
Yes. Crepis modocensis subsp. subacaulis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Crepis modocensis subsp. subacaulis bloom?
Crepis modocensis subsp. subacaulis blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Crepis modocensis subsp. subacaulis belong to?
Crepis modocensis subsp. subacaulis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Crepis.
What habitat does Crepis modocensis subsp. subacaulis grow in?
Crepis modocensis subsp. subacaulis grows in Wet meadows, steep slopes.
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.