Crepis setosa
Bristly hawksbeard
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Crepis setosa (Bristly hawksbeard) is a non-native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by low elevation coastal forest habitat, hollow reddish stems, and arrow-shaped leaves.
Bristly hawksbeard is a naturalized annual found in northern Coast Ranges in openings of mixed-conifer forest and disturbed areas at elevations of 50 to 500 meters. Flowering from May to November, this plant produces yellow flowers with occasional red tones in heads 5 to 30 clustered in cyme-like arrangements. Growing with stout stems 20 to 80 centimeters tall, often reddish and covered in spreading coarse hairs, it has a shallow taproot and fibrous root system. Its basal leaves are sagittate with a large terminal lobe and smaller recurved lateral lobes, while upper stem leaves become progressively narrower and sharply lobed. The fruit is a reddish-brown seed 3 to 5 millimeters long with a short beak and fine, soft white pappus.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; distinguished by low elevation coastal forest habitat, hollow reddish stems, and arrow-shaped leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Openings in mixed-conifer forest, disturbed areas
Elevation: 50-500 m
Outside California: native to Europe
Bloom period
Crepis setosa blooms May-Nov.
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 setosa native to California?
No. Crepis setosa is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Crepis setosa bloom?
Crepis setosa blooms May-Nov.
What plant family does Crepis setosa belong to?
Crepis setosa is in the Asteraceae family, genus Crepis.
What habitat does Crepis setosa grow in?
Crepis setosa grows in Openings in mixed-conifer forest, disturbed areas.
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.