Deep-rooted catsear, Spotted cat's ear
Hypochaeris radicata

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. The young plant is a ring of leaves near the ground. The stem is solid, round and with a groove along it. It gives off white sap when cut. The leaves have irregular lobes. The leaves are 25 cm long and in a ring near the base. The leaves are hairy. Branched flowering stems arise from the centre of the ring of leaves. These are about 30-40 cm long. The flowers are 2-3 cm across.

There are about 50 Hypochaeris species. Hypochaeris and Hypochoeris radicata is correct are probably confused.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in grassland. It grows at high altitude in the tropics. In Zimbabwe it grows between 1,500-1,800 m above sea level. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,500 m above sea level. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Brazil, Britain, Canada, Caribbean, Chile, China, Crete, Croatia, East Africa, Easter Island, Eswatini, Europe (country/location of origin), Falklands, Greece, Hawaii, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Mozambique, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, North Africa, North America, Pacific, Portugal, Sicily, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, St Helena, Swaziland, Taiwan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay, USA, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The young leaves are cooked and eaten. They can also be used in salads, soups and stews. The roots can be cooked as a vegetable or roasted and ground as a coffee substitute.

Edible parts

Leaves, roots, stems, flower

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Achicoria de monte, Almeirao-de-roseta, Almiron, Cat’s Ear, Cicoria furfuciata, Colleja de prao, Costadeddhe, Costa di vecchia, Flat-weed, Flor del chancho, Grassaporci, Herba plana, Hierba del chancho, Ingrassaporei, Ngina, Pachies, Pasto de chancho, Peludo, Piatello, Pilliyuyu, Radicheta, Roseta, Sgarri, Umajenti, Unonjenti, Zicoria burda

Synonyms

Achyrophorus radicatus Scop.; Achyrophorus taraxacifolius Sch.Bip.; Hypochaeris atlantica Sennen & Mauricio; Hypochaeris neapolitana DC.; Seriola caespitosa Porta; and others