cats-ear

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• hairy cat's-ear
• rough cat's-ear
• spotted cat's-ear
• Cat's-Ear
• Common Catsear
• false dandelion
• flatweed
• pee-the-bed
• rooted cat's-ear
• spotted cat’s ear
• wild dandelion
• Catsear
• Common Cat's-ear
• Hairy Wild Lettuce
• Rough Cat's Ear
• Spotted Cat's Ear
• cat's-ears
• hairy cat's ear

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Porcellites radicata
• Leontodon pavonii
• Achyrophorus radicatus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Following its subclass Magnoliidae, it is further categorized under the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Hypochaeris.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several regions within Northern Europe. It can be found growing naturally in Denmark and throughout Great Britain. Additionally, its presence is documented in Ireland, expanding its range across the northern territories. The species also inhabits the landscapes of Norway and Sweden. Together, these locations define the primary geographical distribution of Hypochaeris radicaata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Hypochaeris radicaata is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, spanning from sea level up to an elevation of 4500 m AMSL, with a mean elevation of approximately 2250 m AMSL. This species is primarily found inhabiting diverse environments, specifically within Campo Limpo and Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial), indicating its ability to thrive in both open grassland ecosystems and humid, high-rainfall forest biomes.

Elevational range max:

4500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2250 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campo Limpo, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Genetics

The genetics of Hypochaeris radicaata are characterized by a stable chromosomal configuration, specifically defined by its ploidy level. Based on cytogenetic data, the species exhibits a diploid state, indicated by a ploidy value of 2. This diploidy suggests a standard genomic structure where the organism possesses two complete sets of chromosomes, one inherited from each parent, providing a foundational genetic framework for its reproductive development and phenotypic expression.

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Hypochaeris radicaata is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a hemicryptophyte, its perennating buds are located at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or the substrate, which facilitates its survival in various environments. Furthermore, this plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as part of its seasonal cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Hypochaeris radicaata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This species exhibits an erect shoot orientation and is classified as a self-supporting plant, meaning it does not function as a climber (neither liana nor vine) nor as an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior. The plant's physical stature is relatively modest, with a height that varies from a minimum of 0.08 m to a maximum of 1.5 m, resulting in a mean plant height of approximately 0.32 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.32 m

Plant height min:

0.08 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Hypochaeris radicaata is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing standard carbon fixation processes to support its metabolic requirements. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy and does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on the soil for essential nutrient uptake. Its vegetative structure is organized in a rosette leaf arrangement, with leaf dimensions varying significantly; the leaves typically range in length from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 20 cm. In terms of lateral expansion, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 1 cm and a maximum of 4 cm, maintaining a mean width of approximately 2.4 cm.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf arrangement :

rosette

Leaf length max:

20 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width mean:

2.4 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Hypochaeris radicaata is primarily sexual, characterized by bisexual flowers that facilitate the plant's reproductive cycle. The flowering period typically commences in June and extends through September. These flowers are yellow in color and utilize biotic pollination syndromes, specifically attracting insects such as bees. While self-fertilization is present within the species, the reproductive process is driven by these insect interactions. Following pollination, the plant develops dry, brown, indehiscent fruits categorized as achenes. These fruits vary in size, with an average length of 1.2 cm, ranging from a minimum of 1.4 cm to a maximum of 1.9 cm. Each fruit is prolific, containing between 101 and 1000 seeds. The seeds themselves are quite small, possessing a mean mass of approximately 0.000814182 g (ranging from 0.00066 g to 0.0011 g) and a consistent volume of 1.8 mm³. Dispersal is achieved through an anemochorous syndrome, meaning the seeds are dispersed by the wind. Asexual reproduction is noted to be absent in this species.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flower colour :

yellow

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit colour :

brown

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

1.9 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.2 cm

Fruit length min:

1.4 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.0011 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000814182 g

Seed mass min:

0.00066 g

Seed volume max:

1.8 mm³

Seeds_per_fruit :

101-1000

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Hypochaeris radicata has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root.

Leaf

1. BioMed research international

Root

1. BioMed research international

Chemicals

Hypochaeris radicata has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Confertin, scopoletin.

Confertin

1. Natural product research

scopoletin

1. Natural product research

Activities

Hypochaeris radicata has 3 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antioxidant.

Analgesic

1. BioMed research international

Antibacterial

1. BioMed research international

Antioxidant

1. BioMed research international

Medicinal Uses

Hypochaeris radicata has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include constipation, dyspepsia, hypoglycemia, jaundice, rheumatism.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations