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Hypochaeris glabra

smooth Cat's ear

Asteraceae

Mediterranean region and western Europe

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun

WaterVery Low · drought-tolerant

Overview

Hypochaeris glabra is a low-growing winter annual in the daisy family, forming a flat basal rosette 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) across from which slender, mostly leafless flowering stems rise 4-16 inches (10-40 cm) tall. The rosette leaves are 1-4 inches (2.5-10 cm) long, oblong with shallow lobes or teeth, and nearly hairless, which separates it from the hairy-leaved common cat's ear. Each branched stem carries small flower heads 0.3-0.6 inch (8-15 mm) wide composed entirely of yellow strap-shaped ray florets; the heads often stay partly closed and open fully only in bright sun. Flowering runs from late winter through spring, after which the plant sets wind-borne seed and dies. Native to the Mediterranean region and western Europe, it has naturalized across much of North America, Australia, and other temperate areas, where it colonizes sandy soils, lawns, roadsides, and disturbed open ground. It tolerates poor, dry, compacted soil and completes its life cycle before summer drought. Because it self-sows freely and is treated as a weed in many regions, it can spread beyond intended plantings. It is rarely cultivated and is most often encountered as a volunteer rather than a grown plant.

Native Range

Native to the Mediterranean region, North Africa, and western Europe. It has naturalized widely in North America, southern Australia, South America, and other temperate zones, favoring sandy and disturbed soils.

Suggested Uses

Rarely planted on purpose, it appears in unmown meadows, sandy verges, and disturbed sites as a naturalized part of the flora. In most garden settings it is managed as a lawn and bed weed rather than grown.

How to Identify

Identify it by a flat rosette of nearly hairless, shallowly lobed leaves 1-4 inches (2.5-10 cm) long and branched, mostly leafless stems bearing yellow dandelion-like heads 0.3-0.6 inch (8-15 mm) wide. The smooth leaves and small, often partly closed heads distinguish it from Hypochaeris radicata, which has bristly-hairy leaves and larger heads. Broken stems exude milky sap.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4" - 1'4"

Width/Spread2" - 6"

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~10 weeks

Winter Spring

Heads appear from late winter into late spring, mainly March to May in mild climates. Flowers are yellow and open fully only in strong sunlight, closing in cloudy or afternoon conditions. Each head matures into a globe of parachute-tipped seeds similar to a small dandelion.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky loam clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Very Low

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

As a winter annual, H. glabra germinates with fall and winter rains, grows through the cool season, flowers in spring, and dies by early summer. It needs full sun and tolerates sandy, rocky, compacted, and nutrient-poor soils with sharp drainage. No irrigation or fertilizer is needed in regions with winter rainfall, and rich soil tends to produce larger but still weedy plants. It self-sows prolifically, so seed heads spread it readily into lawns and beds. Where it is unwanted, removal before seed set is the only reliable control. It has no significant pest or disease problems.