Hypochaeris radicata NS6158 9July23 PW
Hypochaeris radicata NS7151 17Aug2017 PW
Arrows highlighting the white stripe on the bracts, the ‘cocks-comb’ hairs at the end of 3 of the bracts and the clear ‘shoulder’ at the top of the stem.
Hypochearis radicata NS9354 8Aug23 FH
Hypochaeris radicata NS7151 17Aug2017 PW
This is a large and robust example.
Hypochaeris radicata NS7849 25Sep2020 MP
Hypochaeris radicata NS6459 23Oct25 PW
Hypochaeris radicata NS6459 23Oct25 PW
Hypochaeris radicata NS6459 23Oct25 PW
Hypochaeris radicata - Cat's-ear
This is a common weed of lawns because the flat central rosette survives mowing.
Basal rosette of roughly hairy leaves with wavy lobing and a rounded end lobe. Hairs all simple.
Leafless stem with small scale-like bracts. Stem widening below the single capitula but ±with a shoulder.
Phyllaries are red/dark tipped, often with a white mid-rib and white to dark “cock’s-comb” bristles at the tip. Outer ligules grey-green below.
The achene looks like it is built up of bricks like a factory chimney (muricate) and at least the inner ones have a long beak topped by a dirty white pappus with branched hairs.