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.