Native Range

Europe, Asia, and northern Africa

Appearance

Common crupina is an herbaceous winter annual typically growing 1–3 ft (30–90 cm) tall from long taproots. Plants produce rigid, upright stems that are often branched in their upper halves. Seedling leaves are fleshy and round while stem leaves are alternate and deeply lobed with toothed margins and short hairs. Flower heads are produced at stem and branch tips. They are narrow, up to ¾ in (2 cm) long, and produce five purplish-pink florets. The bracts are dark green at first but turn purplish during seed maturation. Seeds are dark brown, barrel-shaped, and have a ring of dark bristly pappus.

Impact

Common crupina creates dense infestations that displace desirable forage species and contaminate hay. When common crupina replaces fibrous-rooted grass species, there is an increased risk of soil erosion. In some native ecosystems in the Northwest, common crupina infestations have reduced biodiversity.

Reference

West, N.M., M.A. Tancos, and J.E. Andreas. 2024. Common Crupina (Crupina vulgaris): History and Ecology in North America. In: R.L. Winston, Ed. Biological Control of Weeds in North America. North American Invasive Species Management Association, Milwaukee, WI. NAISMA-BCW-2024-41-COMMON CRUPINA-P. https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/files/33591.pdf