Cat’s-ear Hypochaeris radicata
 
Family: Asteraceae   Daisy family
Annual or Perennial:  Height: Up to 0.5 m
Flowering:     June to September
Soils:            Well-drained loam, clay & sand
Sun:             Full sun or partial shade
 
A perennial meadow herb often seen in lawns, cat’s-ear is native to Europe and introduced elsewhere.
 
The leaves form a low rosette and can grow to 20cm long, covered in coarse hairs. Cat’s-ear has a tap root and bright yellow flowers and is sometimes confused with dandelion, and has been called “false dandelion”. The seeds have ‘parachutes’ which help them disperse widely.1. 
 
Catsear was first recorded botanically in Britain by Gerard in 1597.2. The common name refers to the hairs and shape of the leaves, which resemble the ears of a cat.  The young leaves can be eaten in salads, though they have a bland taste. The root can be used as a coffee substitute.
 
 
The Biological Records Centre records only four fruit flies using cat’s-ear as a foodplant,3.  but it is used by the shark moth Cucullia umbratica, though this  is not exclusive to this plant and also eats hawkbit and dandelion.4.    Cat’s-ear is popular with pollinating hoverflies.
 
 
1.  Clapham A.R., Tutin T.G. & Moore D.M.  Flora of the British Isles, Third Edition, Cambridge University Press 2010
 
2.  Pearman, D. (2017). The Discovery of the Native Flora of Britain and Ireland, A compilation of the first records for 1670 species and aggregates, covering Great Britain, Ireland, The Channel Isles and the Isle of Man. Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland. p237
 
3.  Biological Records Centre database 
 
4.  Wikipedia page on cat's ear
 
 
Page written by Ceri Leigh, compiled by Steve Head
 
 
Cat’s-ear Hypochaeris radicata
 
Family: Asteraceae   Daisy family
Annual or Perennial:  Height: Up to 0.5 m
Flowering:     June to September
Soils:            Well-drained loam, clay & sand
Sun:             Full sun or partial shade
 
Cat’s-ear Hypochaeris radicata
 
Family: Asteraceae   Daisy family
Annual or Perennial:  Height: Up to 0.5 m
Flowering:     June to September
Soils:            Well-drained loam, clay & sand
Sun:             Full sun or partial shade
 
A perennial herb often seen in lawns, cat’s-ear is native to Europe and introduced elsewhere.
 
The leaves form a low rosette and can grow to 20cm long, covered in coarse hairs. Cat’s-ear has a tap root and bright yellow flowers and is sometimes confused with dandelion and has been called “false dandelion”. The seeds have ‘parachutes’ which help them disperse widely.1.
 
Catsear was first recorded botanically in Britain by Gerard in 1597.2. The common name refers to the hairs and shape of the leaves, which resemble the ears of a cat.  The young leaves can be eaten in salads, though they have a bland taste. The root can be used as a coffee substitute.
 
The Biological Records Centre records only 4 fruit flies using cat’s-ear as a foodplant,3. but it is used by the shark moth Cucullia umbratica, though this is not exclusive to this plant and also eats hawkbit and dandelion.4.    Cat’s-ear is popular with pollinating hoverflies.
 
 
1.  Clapham A.R., Tutin T.G. & Moore D.M.  Flora of the British Isles, Third Edition, Cambridge University Press 2010
 
2.  Pearman, D. (2017). The Discovery of the Native Flora of Britain and Ireland, A compilation of the first records for 1670 species and aggregates, covering Great Britain, Ireland, The Channel Isles and the Isle of Man. Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland. p237
 
3.  Biological Records Centre database 
 
4.  Wikipedia page on cat's ear
 
 
Page written by Ceri Leigh, compiled by Steve Head
 
 
 
           Garden Wildplants
        Garden Wildplants