Cat's Ear - a weed (*Hypochaeris radicata)

Family: Asteraceae (Daisy Family).

Native of Europe and Asia.

Other names. Flatweed. The genus is sometimes spelled Hypochoeris.

Occurrence: Cat’s Ear is possibly the most widespread and abundant weed of Central Victoria. It is very common and abundant in lawns, on roadsides, and on farmland. It also grows in forests, especially after fire.

Identification:

• it has dandelion-like yellow daisy flowers
• the stem is hollow and often branched
• the stem thickens just below the flower
• there are scales between the developing seeds
• the leaves are in a basal rosette, are over 5 cm long, and are hairy
• the bracts (green, leaf-like and just below the flowers) are erect and not curled back.

Photos 1: Typical clump of Cat's Ear. Harcourt North. 2. Awned seed heads. 3. Basal rosette. The leaves are shallowly lobed and have stiff hairs. Both Castlemaine. 4. Lawn weed. Castlemaine. 5. Cat's Ear. Mt Macedon.