Scientific name: Hypochoeris radicata L.

Common name: Flatweed, Catsear

Family: Asteraceae

Origin:

Native of Europe.

Habit:

Perennial herb developing a flat rosette of spreading leaves radiating from a fleshy root stock, later forming leafy flowering stems 15-60 cm tall.

Habitat:

Common weed of cultivation, pastures and lawns.

General description:

Stems and leaves

Rosette leaves have variable margins which can be toothed or lobed, up to 20 x 3 cm. Flowering stems produce only a few leaves similar to the basal leaves but smaller. Plants are 15-60 cm tall in flower. The stems and leaves are conspicuously hairy.

Flowers and fruit

Flower-heads are yellow dandelion-type daisies 2.5 cm across, borne on ascending sparsely branched stems up to 60 cm tall. Flowers spring to autumn. Seeds are ribbed, 4-7 mm long with a ‘beak’ and a tuft up to 10 mm long comprised of a ring of long feathery hairs and an outer row of rough textured hairs.

Distinguishing characteristics:

A rosette-forming yellow-flowered herb resembling a true dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), which can be distinguished by its flower stems. Hypochoeris radicata has yellow flower-heads on thin branches whereas true dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) forms stout stems with a single flower-head on each.

Noxious status:

Not noxious.

Sources:

Kleinschmidt, H.E., Holland, A. and Simpson, P. (1996). Suburban Weeds. 3rd Edition. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.

Stanley, T.E. and Ross, E.M. (1983-1989). Flora of South-eastern Queensland. Volume 2. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.

Auld, B.A. and Medd, R.W. (1996). Weeds: An Illustrated Botanical Guide to Weeds of Australia. Inkata Press, Sydney.