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Overview
Hypochaeris radicata is a taprooted perennial in the daisy family (Asteraceae) reaching 8–24 inches (20–60 cm) tall with a 6–12 inch (15–30 cm) spread. Plants form a basal rosette of oblanceolate, coarsely lobed leaves 2–8 inches (5–20 cm) long with rounded lobe tips, sparsely to moderately hairy on both surfaces. Flowering scapes are solid, wiry, branching (typically forking 1–3 times), smooth or with scattered hairs, and leafless except for small scale-like bracts at the forks. Flower heads are 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) across, composed entirely of yellow ligulate florets, resembling dandelion heads. Outer florets are often greenish or reddish on the underside. Fruit is an achene with a feathery (plumose) pappus on a long beak, enabling wind dispersal. A single plant produces 1,000–5,000 seeds. The deep taproot, 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) long, is fleshy and regenerates if broken during pulling. One of the most common lawn and roadside weeds in the Pacific Northwest. Associated with equine stringhalt (a neuromuscular condition) in horses grazing pastures with high H. radicata density in Australia and parts of the Pacific coast.
Native Range
Native to Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa, occurring in meadows, lawns, roadsides, and waste ground from sea level to approximately 5,000 feet (1,500 m). Widely naturalized across North America, particularly abundant in the Pacific Northwest, where it is one of the most common yellow-flowered lawn weeds.Suggested Uses
Used in weed identification courses for teaching differentiation among yellow-flowered Asteraceae in lawns (dandelion, cat's-ear, hawk's-beard, hawkweed). The plumose versus simple pappus distinction is a key taxonomic teaching point. Studied in equine veterinary medicine for the association with stringhalt in horses. Included in Asteraceae morphology exercises for ligulate head structure.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 2'
Width/Spread6" - 1'
Bloom Information
Flowers from May through September. Individual heads open for 2–3 days. Branching scapes produce heads sequentially over 10–14 weeks. In the Pacific Northwest, peak flowering occurs in June through August. Seeds mature 2–3 weeks after flowering and disperse by wind via the plumose pappus. Self-pollinating.Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Medium green, oblanceolate, coarsely lobed with rounded tips, sparsely to moderately hairy on both surfacesGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 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