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Saturday, August 2, 2025

Cat's ear, Hypochaeris radicata

Hypochaeris radicata, commonly known as cat's ear, flatweed, or false dandelion, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to Europe but now widespread in many parts of the world, including North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Here's an overview:

🌿 General Description

  • Family: Asteraceae (daisy family)
  • Common Names: Cat's ear, flatweed, false dandelion
  • Growth Habit: Low-growing rosette; dandelion-like in appearance
  • Height: Flower stalks up to 60 cm (2 ft) tall
  • Leaves: Hairy, toothed or lobed, and form a basal rosette
  • Flowers: Bright yellow, daisy-like, solitary on leafless stalks
  • Root: Deep, thick taproot

    🌼 Flowering & Reproduction

  • Bloom Time: Late spring through fall
  • Pollination: Attracts bees and other pollinators
  • Seeds: Wind-dispersed with parachute-like structures, similar to dandelions

    🌎 Habitat & Distribution

  • Found in lawns, roadsides, pastures, and disturbed sites
  • Tolerates poor soils and drought conditions
  • Considered invasive or weedy in some regions

    🌱 Ecological & Practical Notes

  • Sometimes eaten by foragers: leaves and roots are edible, similar to dandelion
  • Can be confused with true dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), but has branched flower stalks and hairier leaves
  • Known to accumulate calcium and potassium in soils
  • Livestock Warning: May contribute to "stringhalt" (a neurological disorder) in horses when heavily grazed

    Here’s a side-by-side comparison between Hypochaeris radicata (cat's ear) and Taraxacum officinale (common dandelion):

    Plant: Cat's Ear (Hypochaeris radicata)
    Family: Asteraceae
    Common Names: Cat’s ear, flatweed, false dandelion
    Leaves: Hairy, lobed or toothed, often with bristles
    Growth Form: Basal rosette, low-growing
    Flower Stalks: Multiple branched stalks per plant
    Flower: Yellow, similar to dandelion, smaller
    Number of Flowers: Often multiple flowers per stalk
    Root Type: Deep taproot
    Seed Head: Puffy with parachute seeds (like dandelion)
    Edibility: Edible leaves and roots
    Toxicity to Livestock: May cause stringhalt in horses

    Plant: Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
    Family: Asteraceae
    Common Names: Dandelion
    Leaves: Smooth or slightly hairy, deeply lobed
    Growth Form: Basal rosette, low-growing
    Flower Stalks: Single unbranched stalk per flower
    Flowers: Yellow, larger, unbranched flower
    Number of Flowers: One flower per stalk
    Root Type: Deep taproot
    Seed Head: Puffy with parachute seeds
    Edibility: Edible leaves, flowers, and roots
    Toxicity to Livestock: Generally safe

    🔍 Key Differences:

  • Leaves: Cat's ear leaves are hairy and may feel rough to the touch; dandelion leaves are smoother.
  • Flower Stems: Cat’s ear has branching stalks, each with several flowers. Dandelions have a single flower per stem.
  • Surface Texture: Cat's ear is sometimes called “cat’s ear” because of the fuzzy leaf texture.
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