Leontodon saxatilis subsp. saxatilis
Photo: parent species Leontodon saxatilis · (c) Justin, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Leontodon saxatilis subsp. saxatilis is a non-native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by 1 sympatric subspecies; differentiation primarily geographic with broader northern distribution.
Hawkbit is a naturalized perennial found in northwestern California, northern Sierra Nevada foothills, central Coast Ranges, and San Francisco Bay Area in disturbed areas at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from June to October, this plant produces yellow flowers in heads arranged in open clusters. Growing with slender stems 10 to 40 centimeters tall, it spreads easily in disturbed landscapes. Its leaves are mostly basal, forming a rosette of deeply lobed, lance-shaped green blades. Originally native to Europe, this plant has successfully established itself in various California habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric subspecies; differentiation primarily geographic with broader northern distribution
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas
Elevation: < 1000 m
California counties: Alameda, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Del Norte, El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt, Los Angeles, Merced, Monterey, Nevada, Santa Clara, Solano, Yuba, Marin, Mendocino, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Tehama, Placer, Napa, San Luis Obispo, San Diego
Outside California: to British Columbia, eastern United States, native to Europe
Bloom period
Leontodon saxatilis subsp. saxatilis blooms Jun-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Hypochaeris: Hypochaeris has stem leaves and branched stems, Leontodon is all basal leaves with unbranched stalks.; vs Agoseris: Agoseris has uniform simple bristles on all seeds, Leontodon has mixed scales and feathery bristles.; vs Taraxacum: Taraxacum has uniform bristles on all seeds, Leontodon has short scales on outer seeds.; vs Crepis: Crepis has branching stems with stem leaves, Leontodon has leafless single-headed stalks.; vs Scorzoneroides: Scorzoneroides has uniform pappus on all seeds, Leontodon has dual pappus types.
Frequently asked questions
Is Leontodon saxatilis subsp. saxatilis native to California?
No. Leontodon saxatilis subsp. saxatilis is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Leontodon saxatilis subsp. saxatilis bloom?
Leontodon saxatilis subsp. saxatilis blooms Jun-Oct.
Where in California does Leontodon saxatilis subsp. saxatilis grow?
Leontodon saxatilis subsp. saxatilis occurs in Alameda, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Del Norte, El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt and other counties, at elevations of < 1000 m.
What plant family does Leontodon saxatilis subsp. saxatilis belong to?
Leontodon saxatilis subsp. saxatilis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Leontodon.
What habitat does Leontodon saxatilis subsp. saxatilis grow in?
Leontodon saxatilis subsp. saxatilis grows in 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.