Hawksbeard or Crepis is a genus of annual and perennial plants which resemble dandelions, the biggest difference being that Crepis usually has branching stems with multiple flower heads (though solitary heads can occur). They are loved by bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
Hawksbeard is widespread in the northern hemisphere and Africa and has been introduced practically across the whole world.
The Hawks beard species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including the broad-barred white moth and seeds of Crepis species are an important food source for some bird species. The flowers are often visited by bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
n Crete, Greece the leaves of Crepis commutata which are called glykosyrida are eaten raw, boiled, steamed or browned in salads.