Catsear Hypochaeris radicata
Table of Contents
A common, perennial wildflower with culinary and medicinal uses, catsear is a plant that thrives in grassland especially on undernourished, dry soils. With its bright yellow flowers it’s often mistaken for the dandelion.
Plant family: Asteraceae
Aliases: False dandelion, flatweed
Flowering period: June – September
Flower colour: Yellow
Preferred soil type: Dry, free draining infertile
Habitat: Grassland, turf, roadside verges, dunes
Status: Common
General information
An edible, perennial wildflower similar in appearance to the dandelion and sometimes referred to as ‘false dandelion’, although the plant takes its name from its leaves which are covered in fine hairs and the shape of the leaf edges, closely resembling the appearance and feel a ‘cats ear’. The flowers are also similar to bristly ox-tongue, smooth hawksbeard and the hawkbits.
It’s a plant that thrives in free draining, nutrient deficient soils in all types of grassland, particularly short grass and turf. It’s considered a lawn weed by gardeners, because of it’s ability to adapt to and grow short grass, although it will grow to 60cm high if left undisturbed. It is toxic to horses, as they are thought to cause stringhalt, which is a neuromuscular condition.
Identification
Flower: The flowers have a small number of disc florets in the centre, surrounded by many deep-yellow ray florets. They are similar in appearance to dandelion flowers, although they are slightly smaller in diameter. Each dandelion flower is borne on a solitary stalk, whilst catsear stalks are forked and bear more than one flower. They measure between 25 – 40mm in diameter.
Leaves: The leaves are lanceolate to oblong and measure up to 25cm long. They form as a flat basal rosette around a central taproot, similar to the dandelion, however the latters surface is smooth and the leaf edges are sharply toothed, whereas catsear leaves are coved in fine hairs and the edges are more rounded.
Value for wildlife
This wildflower is extremely attractive bumble bees, butterflies, hoverflies and other insects, which visit to feed on its rich source of nectar.
Uses for catsear
Catsear is an edible plant, is rich in nutrients and the flowers, leaves and roots can all be eaten. The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, some people like to blanche them first to get rid of the hairs, they are used as greens in a salad or can be juiced.
The roots can be roasted to make a coffee substitute. The flowers can be eaten raw or to make a catsear lemonade, while the flower heads can be used to make capers.
Catsear has a variety of medicinal properties and has been used to treat kidney illness, liver infections, rheumatism and constipation.
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