Hypochoeris radicata
Cat's Ear
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Compositae
- Genus
- Hypochoeris
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.3 m
- Fertility
- Bees, Flies lepidoptera
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees, Flies lepidoptera
Uses
Edible uses
Young leaves - raw or cooked like spinach[6][7][8][3]. A winter salad[1], it is rather bitter[K]. Young leaves are mild and agreeable[4].
- Plant part
- Leaves
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
Pectoral[1].
- Product or use
- Pectoral
Environment
- Range
- Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to N. Africa and western Asia.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. If you have sufficient seed it can be sown outdoors in situ in the spring.
Cultivation
Requires a well-drained soil and a sunny position or light shade. Another report says that it dislikes shade. A common lawn weed[5].
References
Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Les Ecologistes de l'Euzi�re Les Salades Sauvages Not given. 1994-00-00 ISBN 2-906128-04-X
Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.
Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219060-5
Larkcom. J. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn 1980-00-00
De. Bray. L. The Wild Garden.