Smooth Cat’s-ear
Hypochaeris glabra
Family: Asteraceae
What it is like
A herb which re-grows from seed each year. It grows 20 cm high. It only has a few branches. The leaves form a ring near the base. The leaves are almost smooth and not hairy. They are narrow sword shaped. They are 1.5-10 cm long by 0.5-2 cm wide. The leaves have lobes or blunt teeth. The leaves narrow to the base and have blunt tips. The flowers occur singly in heads on the end of the stems. These flowering stems are 5-20 cm high. The flowers are less than 1 cm across. They are yellow.
There are about 50 Hypochaeris species.
Where it is found
It grows in subtropical and temperate places. It grows in dry sandy places. In Argentina it grows below 500 m above sea level. Tasmania Herbarium.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Britain, Canada, Chile, Easter Islands, Europe (country/location of origin), France, Greece, Hawaii, India, Italy, Japan, Libya, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, North America, North Africa (country/location of origin), Pacific, Portugal, Sicily, South America, Spain, St Helena, Taiwan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay, USA
How it is used for food
The young galls are eaten raw. Leaves are cooked and eaten.
Edible parts
Leaves, roots - coffee
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Achicoria, Costi vecchia, Lecherina