Hypochoeris radicata Cat's Ear PFAF Plant Database

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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Hypochoeris radicata is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies lepidoptera.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Lawn; Meadow;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Young leaves - raw or cooked like spinach[5, 52, 53, 183]. A winter salad[100], it is rather bitter[K]. Young leaves are mild and agreeable[217].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Pectoral

Pectoral[100].

References More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a well-drained soil and a sunny position or light shade. Another report says that it dislikes shade. A common lawn weed[24].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. If you have sufficient seed it can be sown outdoors in situ in the spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

Coming Soon

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

IUCN Red List

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal
Hypochoeris apargioides		Perennial	0.0	-	LMH	N	DM	1	0
Hypochoeris glabra	Smooth Cat's Ear	Annual/Perennial	0.3	-	LM	N	DM	1	1
Hypochoeris incana		Perennial	0.0	-	LMH	N	DM	2	0
Hypochoeris maculata	Spotted Hawkweed	Perennial	0.6	-	LMH	N	DM	2	0
Hypochoeris scorzonerae		Perennial	0.0	-	LMH	N	DM	1	1

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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Expert comment

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Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment


Liz Young	Thu Nov 29 2007

I have a horse who has just developed Stringhalt and my Vet has referred me to Austrailan data which connects eatting of Cats ear with Stringhalt. has any one had an experience of this as I note that we have this weed in our pasture. Liz Young

Hypochoeris radicata - L.