Hypochaeris radicata

Species category

Weed

Common name

hairy cat's ear

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

AcheneAchene:
A dry, hard, one-chambered, one-seeded indehiscent fruit, as in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) or sunflower (Helianthus). The fruit wall is not united with the seed coat.

Shape

EllipticElliptic:
Outline of an ellipse; greatest width midway sloping to an equally pointed apex and base.
with a long beak

Size

  • Length 4 mm
  • Width 0.75 mm
  • Thickness 0.75 mm

Color

Brown

Texture

Spiny ribs

Other structures

Long, narrow apicalApical:
The distal end of the fruit or seed away from the point of attachment or attachment scar.
beak ending with pappusPappus:
Modified calyx in Asteraceae, composed of hairs, bristles, awns, or scales. The pappus-like structure attached to milkweed seeds is termed a coma. 
collar

Identification notes

AcheneAchene:
A dry, hard, one-chambered, one-seeded indehiscent fruit, as in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) or sunflower (Helianthus). The fruit wall is not united with the seed coat.
is ellipticElliptic:
Outline of an ellipse; greatest width midway sloping to an equally pointed apex and base.
with a long, narrow apicalApical:
The distal end of the fruit or seed away from the point of attachment or attachment scar.
beak that terminates in the apicalApical:
The distal end of the fruit or seed away from the point of attachment or attachment scar.
collar with a persistent pappusPappus:
Modified calyx in Asteraceae, composed of hairs, bristles, awns, or scales. The pappus-like structure attached to milkweed seeds is termed a coma. 
. PappusPappus:
Modified calyx in Asteraceae, composed of hairs, bristles, awns, or scales. The pappus-like structure attached to milkweed seeds is termed a coma. 
is usually absent due to a fracture of the narrow neck of the acheneAchene:
A dry, hard, one-chambered, one-seeded indehiscent fruit, as in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) or sunflower (Helianthus). The fruit wall is not united with the seed coat.
. Color is brown. Texture composed of closely spaced longitudinal ribs. Ribs are composed of a series of sharp points which become larger in the upper area of the main body of the acheneAchene:
A dry, hard, one-chambered, one-seeded indehiscent fruit, as in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) or sunflower (Helianthus). The fruit wall is not united with the seed coat.
, where the narrow neck begins. Scar is basalBasal:
The base of the fruit or seed opposite the apical end.
, oblique, and surrounded by a rim.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Included

More information

For more information, see ISMA fact sheet.

Nomenclature

Family

Asteraceae

Valid name

Hypochaeris radicata L.

 Hypochaeris radicata.  Achenes with a long, narrow apical beak ending with a pappus collar. 
Hypochaeris radicata. Achenes with a long, narrow apical beak ending with a pappus collar.