# Common Cat's-ear (*Hypochaeris radicata*) Common Cat's-ear is a cheerful yellow flower that looks a bit like a dandelion. It grows in many places and is loved by bees and butterflies for its sweet nectar. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 5 - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Cat's-ear, Hawkbit ![Common Cat's-ear](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/20140819Hypochaeris_radicata.jpg&width=800) Photo: AnRo0002, CC0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20140819Hypochaeris_radicata.jpg) ## Appearance The Common Cat's-ear has bright yellow, dandelion-like flowers on long, slender, often branched stems. Its hairy, lobed leaves form a flat rosette close to the ground, appearing similar to a cat's ear. This plant stands out with its rougher, bristly leaves compared to true dandelions. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Asterales - **Family:** Asteraceae - **Genus:** Hypochaeris ## Interesting facts - Each stem can have many bright yellow flowers, making it look like a tiny floral fireworks display! - Look closely: its hollow stems can leak a milky white sap if you accidentally snap them! - Many animals, even hungry snails, enjoy munching on its slightly bitter but nutritious leaves! - The flowers only open on sunny days, staying tucked away when it's cloudy or rainy! ## Special abilities - **Deep Drinker:** Common Cat's-ear has a tough, deep taproot that helps it find water even when the soil is very dry. - **Bristly Protector:** Common Cat's-ear has tiny hairs on its leaves, which can make them less appealing to some hungry nibbling animals. - **Windy Traveler:** Common Cat's-ear can send its fluffy seeds far on the wind, like tiny parachutes exploring new places. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 10-60 cm - **Spread:** 10-30 cm - **Flower Size:** 2-3.5 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring through Autumn - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Honey bees gather nectar from its blooms. - **Pollinates:** Buff-tailed Bumblebee (*Bombus terrestris*) — Bumblebees help spread its pollen. - **Eaten by:** [Garden Snail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-snail) (*Helix aspersa*) — Snails sometimes feed on its leaves. ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low It's safe to look at these flowers, but don't eat them without asking an adult. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Common Cat's-ear? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Common Cat's-ear? 10-60 cm ### How wide does Common Cat's-ear spread? 10-30 cm ### How big are the flowers on Common Cat's-ear? 2-3.5 cm ### When does Common Cat's-ear bloom? Spring through Autumn ### Is Common Cat's-ear edible? Yes ### Is Common Cat's-ear toxic? None ### What is Common Cat's-ear's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Americus Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/americus-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [Fort Monroe National Monument](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-monroe-national-monument) — Virginia, US · National Park - [Hartwell Commercial Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hartwell-commercial-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [Fort Miles](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-miles) — Delaware, US · Historic Site - [Franklin Street-College Avenue Residential Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/franklin-street-college-avenue-residential-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [Lake Washington Boulevard](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lake-washington-boulevard) — Washington, US · Historic Site [View all places to see Common Cat's-ear](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/common-cats-ear) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Common Cat's-ear: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-cats-ear)