Crepis tectorum
Narrowleaf hawksbeard
(c) Syd Cannings, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Crepis tectorum (Narrowleaf hawksbeard) is a non-native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by high elevation sandy woodland, ear-like leaf bases, and very dark fruits.
Narrowleaf hawksbeard is a naturalized annual found in the southern Sierra Nevada and southeastern California deserts in dry sandy pine woodland and forest clearings at elevations of 2,100 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces pale yellow flowers in clusters of 5 to 20 heads about 6 to 9 millimeters long. Growing with a single hollow stem 10 to 100 centimeters tall, it has a shallow taproot and branches that are minutely hairy. Its basal leaves are 5 to 15 centimeters long, lanceolate to oblanceolate, with coarse, unequal lobes that are somewhat recurved. The fruit is 3 to 4 millimeters long, dark red-brown with 10 ribs and a soft white pappus.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; distinguished by high elevation sandy woodland, ear-like leaf bases, and very dark fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry sandy pine woodland, forest clearings
Elevation: 2100-2500 m
Outside California: widespread United States, native to Europe
Bloom period
Crepis tectorum blooms May-Sep.
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 tectorum native to California?
No. Crepis tectorum is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Crepis tectorum bloom?
Crepis tectorum blooms May-Sep.
What plant family does Crepis tectorum belong to?
Crepis tectorum is in the Asteraceae family, genus Crepis.
What habitat does Crepis tectorum grow in?
Crepis tectorum grows in dry sandy pine woodland, forest clearings.
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.