Seasonal Wild Flowers

Latin name

Hypochaeris radicata

Other names

Common Cat’s-ear, Cat’s Ear, Catsear

Family

Asteraceae

Flowering season

May to October

English distribution

It is found throughout the country

For a map see the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland –

Cat’s-ear

Habitat

It grows in most types of grassland, is resistent to drought

but susceptible to waterlogging.

Description

Cat’s-ear is a native, perennial, variable herb growing up

to 60cm.

Flowerheads are bright yellow and up to 4cm.

The outer ligules are a dull, greenish, grey purple below.

Bracts are dark green with bristles on the midrib.

The seeds form a dandelion-like clock. Achenes are up to 

7mm and usually have a beak and a ring of long feathery

hairs.

The stem is slightly thickened below the flowerhead and 

may have bract-like scales. It is usually branched and 

may be bristly towards the base.

The leaves form a basal rosette and are quite variable.

They are lobed, dark green above and light green and

hairy below.