Bloomipedia
Common cat's-ear (Hypochaeris radicata)
Photo: giantcicada via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Common cat's-ear

Hypochaeris radicata

Introduced in the lower 48

Common cat's-ear is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as introduced in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 2 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in April–October.

41states
2of our state lists
12,528U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Oregon, Washington

🚫
Regulated invasive plant in Washington. It's on that state' official invasive plant list (Washington: Class C noxious weed). Please don't plant or share it there. WAC 16-750

Quick look

Hypochaeris radicata, phonetically hy-poh-KAIR-iss rad-ee-KAY-tuh, is sometimes spelled Hypochoeris radicata and known as catsear, flatweed, cat's-ear, hairy cat's ear, or false dandelion. It is a perennial, low-lying edible herb often found in lawns. H. radicata has been used for both food and medinicinal purposes.

  • It belongs to the Asteraceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as introduced in the lower 48 states and records it in 41 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as not native to Washington and Oregon. NatureServe
  • In Washington, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–October. iNaturalist
  • In Oregon, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–October. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 2,164 research-grade sightings of it in Washington, ranking #86 among the 110 flowers on our Washington list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 1,880 research-grade sightings of it in Oregon, ranking #92 among the 110 flowers on our Oregon list. iNaturalist

State flower gift ideas

This one is a regulated invasive plant, so here are state flower gifts instead.

🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.

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    State flower print

    Gift pick coming soon

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    Birth-flower necklace

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    Wildflower seed favors

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    Botanical tea towel

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    Pressed-flower frame

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    Flower-garden mug

    Gift pick coming soon

When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (1,400 records)
Bloom time in each of our 2 states
StateTypePeak bloomSightings*
WashingtonIntroducedMay–October2,164
OregonIntroducedMay–October1,880

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
GNR Not yet ranked worldwide. NatureServe
Washington
No list Washington has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the Washington Natural Heritage Program's rare plant list isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Washington ranks instead. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Washington.
Oregon
Not listed Not on Oregon endangered and threatened plants (OAR 603-073-0070). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Oregon. OAR 603-073-0070
Rare elsewhere
No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleCaution: partly edible, partly poisonous

NC State Extension lists it as poisonous to humans (severity: low). Symptoms they list: “Stringhalt (back legs may have exaggerated flexion, hopping gait)” They also note: “Leaves can be eaten in salads or cooked in stir-fries. The roots can be roasted and ground for a coffee substitute.” NC State Extension

For petsToxic to horses

ASPCA's entry “Catsear” (Hypochaeris radicata) lists it as toxic to horses. Signs include: Stringhalt (back legs may have exaggerated flexion, hopping… ASPCA

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records common cat's-ear in 41 states plus Washington, D.C.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin; District of Columbia.

Washington counties with USDA records: Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Ferry, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Whatcom, Whitman, Yakima.

Oregon counties with USDA records: Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Wallowa, Wasco, Washington, Yamhill.

More Washington flowers

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Bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare)

Bull thistle

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Sources