smooth hawksbeard
Family
AsteraceaeScientific Name
Crepis capillarisLeaves
Leaves are lanceolate in outline, approximately 2 1/2 to 8 inches long, 1/2 to 3 inches wide. Leaves are usually dissected or lobed, and often have bases that clasp the stem. Basal leaves occur on petioles, stem leaves do not.
Identifying Characteristics
An erect biennial or perennial with conspicuous leaves that clasp the stem. Erect weeds with petioled leaves at the base and leaves without petioles above. Additionally, smooth hawksbeard has lanceolate, lobed leaves that clasp the stem, which helps in the identification of this species.
Flower Seed Head
Flowers bloom in late May-early June in Virginia. Many yellow flowers occur at the ends of branches. Individual flowers are 8 to 10 mm long
Where Found
Smooth hawksbeard is primarily a weed of pastures, hay fields, and roadsides, and is found throughout Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
Growth Habit
Varies:
upright and nonwoody,
prostrate and nonwoody
Thorns or Spines
not present
Approximate Flower Diameter
pencil
Dominant Flower Color
yellow
Flower Symmetry
radial symmetery
Leaf Hairs
has hairs
Leaf Shape
lance
Leaf Arrangement
rosette
Leaf Margin
Varies:
lobed,
serrated
Leaf Structure
simple
Leaf Stalk
none
Stem Hairs
no hairs
Stem Cross Section
round or oval
Milky Sap
not present
Root Structure
taproot
Life Cycle
biennial
Ochrea
not present
Plant Type
Herb