Bristly Hawk'S-Beard

Crepis setosa is an annual herb that reaches a height of 8 to 80 cm. It has a thin taproot and a caudex that ranges from 0.1 to 1.0 cm in width. The flowering stems are typically single, upright, and may be either smooth or grooved. These stems are hollow, pale green with a reddish tinge, and can be either hairy or hairless. The leaves are yellowish green on both sides and have a finely hairy texture. Lower leaves are elliptic to narrowly obovate, ranging from 6 to 30 cm in length and 2 to 8 cm in width, often with runcinate or lyrate shapes. Middle and upper leaves are narrowly ovate and may be toothed or lobed. The inflorescence is corymbiform or paniculiform, with 10 to 20 flower heads. Each head contains 10 to 110 yellow flowers with ligulate corollas that are 8 to 13 mm long. The achenes are homomorphic, with the outer achenes sometimes absent or replaced by inner achenes.

Crepis setosa is native to Europe and has been introduced to North America, where it is now naturalized. It is found in a variety of habitats, including disturbed soils, roadsides, and open fields. The plant is adaptable and can thrive in different environmental conditions, which has contributed to its widespread distribution.

Crepis setosa is not typically cultivated for ornamental or agricultural purposes. It is considered a weed in some regions due to its ability to colonize disturbed areas. The plant is hardy and can grow in a range of soil types, although it prefers well-drained soils. It is not commonly grown in gardens or managed landscapes.

Crepis setosa is not widely used for commercial or traditional purposes. It is occasionally collected for botanical studies and may be used in ecological research to understand plant distribution and invasion patterns. The plant is not known for its medicinal properties or culinary use, and it is generally considered a weed in agricultural settings.