Crepis occidentalis subsp. costata
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Crepis occidentalis subsp. costata is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by many flower heads, large black bristles on bracts, and golden brown fruits.
Western hawksbeard is a California native perennial found in the northern Sierra Nevada Mountains and Modoc Plateau in rocky hillsides and oak/juniper woodland at elevations of 1,200 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces yellow flowers in clusters of 15 to 30 heads with distinctive stalked-glandular phyllaries. Growing with stems 8 to 40 centimeters tall that are tomentose and slightly glandular, it develops a robust but compact form. Its leaves span 5 to 20 centimeters with pinnately lobed edges, each lobe dentate and creating a textured appearance. The fruit develops a golden brown color, adding visual interest to the plant's delicate flowering structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 18 sympatric species; distinguished by many flower heads, large black bristles on bracts, and golden brown fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky hillsides, oak/juniper woodland
Elevation: 1200-2500 m
Outside California: to Canada, Montana, Colorado, Wyoming
Bloom period
Crepis occidentalis subsp. costata 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 occidentalis subsp. costata native to California?
Yes. Crepis occidentalis subsp. costata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Crepis occidentalis subsp. costata bloom?
Crepis occidentalis subsp. costata blooms Jun-Jul.
What plant family does Crepis occidentalis subsp. costata belong to?
Crepis occidentalis subsp. costata is in the Asteraceae family, genus Crepis.
What habitat does Crepis occidentalis subsp. costata grow in?
Crepis occidentalis subsp. costata grows in Rocky hillsides, oak/juniper woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.