Crepis tectorum (Narrow-leaf Hawksbeard): Minnesota Wildflowers

Crepis tectorum (Narrow-leaf Hawksbeard)

Plant Info
Also known as:
Genus:	Crepis
Family:	Asteraceae (Aster)
Life cycle:	annual
Origin:	Europe
Status:	Weedy
Habitat:	part shade, sun; dry sandy soil, along roads, fields, disturbed soil
Bloom season:	June - August
Plant height:	8 to 40 inches
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map

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Detailed Information

Flower:

Up to 20 flowers are in an open cluster at the top of the plant, and on stems branching from the leaf axils near the top of the plant. Individual flowers are yellow, about 1 inch across, and resemble dandelions.

Leaves and stem:

Leaves change shape as they ascend the stem. There is a rosette of basal leaves, each up to 6 inches long and 1 inch wide, coarsely toothed with a pointed tip and short leaf stem. Leaves on the lower part of the stem are more irregularly toothed or divided with sharply pointed lobes and curled edges.

The stem leaves quickly lose this shape and progressively become smaller and very narrow, toothless, with no leaf stem. Leaves near the top of the plant are less than ¼ inch wide. The main stem is hairy and ridged.

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More photos

Photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, June 2008

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?

Posted by: Sharon in Grand Portage Band Reservation
on: 2010-07-25 12:36:51

I saw these near the Marina on the Reservation near the National Monument.

Posted by: Bill in Hay Lake, Carlton County
on: 2011-06-14 13:40:15

We have a lot of these, both by the water and in the forest along the path from the cabin.

Posted by: Bill in Hay Lake, Carlton County
on: 2011-06-14 18:21:47

On second glance, I think what we have in abundance is Hairy Hawkweed. They have a leafless 1' stem and a cluster of just-blossoming flowers.

Posted by: K. Chayka
on: 2011-06-14 18:30:50

What you probably really have is a different weedy hawkweed, possibly king devil, Hieracium piloselloides, or meadow hawkweed, Hieracium caespitosum. Hairy hawkweed, Hieracium longipilum is an uncommon native, taller than 1 foot with very long hairs on the leaves and stems. If you have some images you can post them on our Facebook page and we'll see if we can give you a positive ID.

Posted by: Janice in Itasca County
on: 2012-06-14 19:28:20

We have amazing amounts of a flower very similar to this EXCEPT they are only 1/2" wide. They are tall with almost no leaves and grow along the roads in mid-Itasca County, in ditches, and all over this year.

Posted by: K. Chayka
on: 2012-06-14 20:14:58

Janice, you probably have one of the hawkweeds, Hieracium caespitosum and/or Hieracium piloselloides. Both highly invasive. The roadsides in the Arrowhead region are full of them and they are making their way west and south. :(

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