Hypochaeris radicata L.
Cat's Ear
Common cat's-ear is a low-growing perennial of the daisy family that is a familiar sight in short turf across Britain, where it has long been treated as part of the native grassland flora. It forms a flat rosette of bristly, wavy-edged leaves pressed close to the ground, from which rise slender, wiry, almost leafless stems.
About
Common cat's-ear is a low-growing perennial of the daisy family that is a familiar sight in short turf across Britain, where it has long been treated as part of the native grassland flora. It forms a flat rosette of bristly, wavy-edged leaves pressed close to the ground, from which rise slender, wiry, almost leafless stems. These branch near the top and carry bright yellow, dandelion-like flowerheads. The solid, branched stalks dotted with tiny scale-like bracts are the easiest way to tell it apart from a true dandelion.
It thrives on well-drained neutral to slightly acid soils in full sun, turning up in lawns, dry pastures, meadows, verges, dunes and waste ground. Flowering runs through the summer and into early autumn, offering a reliable supply of nectar and pollen to bees and hoverflies, while finches feed on the parachute seeds. Its toughness and long season make it a useful component of low-maintenance lawn and meadow mixes.
Also known as
Cat's-Ear · Catsear · Common Catsear · Common cat’s-ear · Dandelion · False Dandelion · Flat Weed · Flatweed · Hairy Cat's Ear · Hairy Wild Lettuce
Synonyms
Hypochaeris ambigua · Hypochaeris radicata erostris · Hypochaeris radicata leiocephala · Hypochaeris radicata radicata · Hypochaeris radicata rostrata · Hypochaeris radicata vulgaris · Hypochaeris taraxacifolia
In our seed mixes
- BFS 1 – Traditional Hay Meadow Wildflower Mix
- BFS 10 – Species Rich Wildflower Meadow Seed Mix
- BFS 11 – Coastal Meadow Grassland Seed Mix
- BFS 11a – Coastal Floodplain Grassland Meadow Seed Mix
- BFS 14 – Brownfield Site Wildflower Mix (Open Mosaic Habitat on Previously Developed Land) – 80% Flora
- BFS 2 – Acid Grassland Wildflower Seed Mix for Sandy or Peaty Soils
- BFS 3 – Floodplain Meadow Grassland Seed Mix
- BFS1(F) – Traditional Hay Meadow 100% Wildflower
- BFS10(F) – Species Rich 100% Wildflower Meadow Mix
- BFS11(F)- Coastal Meadow 100% Wildflower Meadow Mix
- BFS11A(F)- Coastal Floodplain 100% Meadow Mix
- BFS14(F) – Brownfield Site 100% Wildflower Mix
- BFS2(F)- Acid Grassland 100% Wildflowers for Sandy/Peaty Soils
- BFS3(F)-Floodplain 100% Meadow Grassland Mix
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.