Cats Ear

Common name: Cats Ear

Botanical name: Hypochaeris radicata

Family: Asteraceae

Life cycle: Perennial

Habitat: Cats ear will grow in a range of conditions, but it prefers sandy free draining soils. It forms as a low growing rosette on lawns and will withstand close mowing.

Leaf: The long, oblong leaves are covered in fine hairs and have rounded edges which resemble the ears of a cat.

Flower: The yellow flowers are smaller than those of the dandelion, they are bourne on long stalks with each plant having several flowers. They bloom from May to September.

Removal & control: Individual plants can be removed by hand, taking great care to remove the whole plant.

If you go with a selective weedkiller then more than one application may be needed for control of this weed.