Dr. Hill, Thank you very much for the service you provide.
Grows in my backyard in partial shade. Flowering in August September. What is it and are the leaves edible? My lawn has been untreated for years.
Thank you and best wishes
Jonathan
PS Picture is taken on an 8.5 x 11″ paper and is about 8″ tall
Hi Jonathan,
your plant is called Crepis japonica, False Hawksbeard, and it is an introduced weedy plant from Japan. However, apparently it is good to eat as a potherb. Studies have also shown some medicinal properties. It is related to the dandelion.
This website is great and has much more detail: http://www.eattheweeds.com/crepis-japonica-seasonal-potherb-2/
I hope this helps!
Sincerely,
Steve Hill, Ph.D., Botanist, SCNPS