Smooth Hawksbeard, Crepis capillaris

Common Name: Smooth Hawksbeard

Crepis capillaris, more commonly known as Smooth Hawksbeard, is an annual, medium to tall hairless or slightly hairy plant. Stems slender branched at base or above. Leaves shiny, the basal numerous, lanceolate to pinnately lobed. Stem leaves smaller and clasping the stem with pointed lobes. Flowerheads yellow, often reddish beneath 10 to 15 mm in lax clusters. Pappus soft white.

Hawksbeards can be distinguished from Hawkweeds by having two rows of bracts on each flower head - one tall and erect, the other much shorter and often spreading. Smooth Hawksbeard is the only one of the group that is hairless. Found in grassland, roadsides and waste places, during June to November. Common throughout Britain.

https://www.uknature.co.uk is a website dedicated to showing the immense diversity of UK nature and wildlife. Our vast range of habitats, from lowland arable to snow covered mountains, from storm-ravaged coastlines to peaceful inland freshwater lakes and rivers, from dry, sandy heaths to deciduous and coniferous forests, all these habitats contribute to the abundance of UK nature. We have wild birds in huge numbers either residing or visiting our shores (597 recorded species as at July 2013) and we must also not forget the humble back garden with its grass lawns, flower beds filled with nectar rich flowers, shrubs and trees, all designed to attract huge numbers of insects such as bees, moths, butterflies and hoverflies; and finally the small ponds which provide safe havens for frogs, toads, newts and even slow worms and grass snakes. www.uknature.co.uk is the showcase for my personal passion, photographing uknature in all its glory. I sincerely hope you all enjoy the fruits of my labours.