Hypochaeris radicata

Cat's Ear is a perennial weed from Eurasia in the aster family. It has naturalized on every continent except Antarctica. It has a long taproot and a basal rosette of leaves. The flowers are often mistaken for dandelions as they both form wind-borne seeds. It is found in lawns, fields, roadsides, meadows, pastures, lawns and other disturbed areas. In natural areas that have not been disturbed, this invasive plant is not typically observed.

Cat's Ear tolerates a wide range of conditions and readily grows in most soil types but is not usually found in wetlands. It produces many seeds per plant per year and each seed can become a mature plant in 2 months. It is considered invasive in some areas.  In addition to reseeding itself, offsets can form.  In some locations it has displaced native species and reduced the productivity of pasture lands.  

Although a problem for horses, the plants shoots are often eaten by both wild and domesticated animals.  

Growing from a thick taproot, each plant can have from 1 to 15 stems that arise from a woody caudex.  They are erect and typically branched but leafless.

In order to distinguish this plant from others in the Aster family, there are a few distinguishing factors, such as hairy basal leaves, achenes that have long beaks that end with tufts of hairs (white), the flower stalks are typically branched and have alternate leaves, and the flowers bracts form in an overlapping fashion.  

The most efficient form of eradication is by removal of the plant below the crown in early spring.  

All parts of this plant are considered to be edible, however, typically the leaves and roots are usually harvested for consumption.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious issues.