HYPOCHAERIS RADICATA

Family:- COMPOSITAE

Common Names:- Catsear

Synonyms:- Achyrophorus radicatus, Porcellites radicata

Meaning:- Hypochaeris (Gr) A name used by the Greek philosopher

Theophrastus.

Radicata (L) With roots or root-like structures.

General description:- Perennial.

Stems:-

1) (10-)20-60(-100) cm, usually branched, sometimes thickened immediately below

the capitula, glabrous, or hispid below, with remote scales above.

Leaves:-

1) (2-)5-25 cm, oblong to elliptical or oblanceolate, dentate to pinnatifid, usually

setulose-hispid.

2) Cauline 0-2.

Flowers:-

1) Capitula, 20-30(-40) mm wide.

2) Involucral bracts, up to 25 x 2·5 mm, in several rows, glabrous, or setose on the

midvein.

3) Ligules bright yellow.

Fruit:-

1) Achenes, 8-17 mm, long-beaked, or the marginal c. 5 mm, unbeaked or very

shortly beaked.

2) Pappus of 2 rows of hairs,

a) outer, 3-6 mm, scabrid or sparsely plumose.

b) inner 9·5-12·5 mm, plumose, not dilated at the base.

Key features:-

1) Achenes 8-17 mm, beaked, or the marginal achenes c. 5 mm, beaked or

unbeaked.

2) Capitula 20-30(-40) mm wide.

3) Leaves usually setulose-hispid.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Meadows, olive groves, streambanks, open woodland. 0-1200 m. mostly

on non-calcareous substrates.

Distribution:- Widespread across the Mediterranean. On Crete mainly confined to

the west.

Flowering time:- Apr-July

Photos by:- Fotis Samaritakis