Beaked hawksbeard
Crepis vesicaria

Family: Asteraceae or Compositae

What it is like

Crepis vesicaria is a BIENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in). It is in flower from May to July, and the seeds ripen from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 0.8

Where it is found

Waysides, walls, railway banks and waste places, especially in calcareous soils, to 150 metres.

W. and S. Europe. Introduced and naturalized in Britain.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Leaves - raw. Used in salads, they have a bitter taste.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

See the plants native habitat for ideas on its needs. C. vesicaria is a large aggregate species that it sometimes divided into various sub-species. Plants are usually biennial, but they can be perennial or even annual.

Propagating it: Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in situ either as soon as it is ripe in late summer or in the spring.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Habit: Biennial

Hardiness: 0-0

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

C. taraxacifolia. Thuill.