Print Fact SheetHypochaeris glabra

Taxonomy

Hypochaeris glabra L., Sp. Pl. 2: 810. 1753.

Common name

Smooth cat's ear, flatweed

Description

Propagule or dispersal unit is the fruit with pappus. Fertile part 3-5 mm long, 0.3-0.7 mm wide, in side view widest in upper part (obovoid) or widest in the middle, +/- straight, the upper (apical) end narrowing or suddenly cut off (truncate), in cross-section round (terete), basal scar (carpopodium) pronounced and well-differentiated, off to the side (oblique) or at least asymmetric, beak (=thinner sterile stalk between seed and pappus) absent or present, beak length 0-7 mm, wings absent, fruit surface dark brown, smooth (except at cellular level), with no hairs (glabrous), thickened margin absent, longitudinal ribs present, 12-18, their surfaces toothed, serrated or scale-like, with no hairs (glabrous).

Pappus type bristles / hairs, pappus elements all +/- similar or clearly differentiated, up to 6-14 mm long, in several rows, pappus elements numerous, persistent, the individual bristles rough / serrated (barbellate) or feathery (plumose) along most of length, +/- equal width along length, white / translucent, rarely brown (by misinterpretation).

Notes: Fruit surface can be glaucous (i.e. have a smooth greyish coating). Hypochaeris glabra has dimorphic fruits - the inner ones have a beak under the pappus, and the outer ones do not. Unfortunately, it does not appear as if the inner fruits in isolation can be easily differentiated from those of Hypochaeris radicata, whose fruits are all beaked.

Ecology

Annual herb, fruits wind-dispersed. Temperate to Mediterranean regions. Found in gardens, lawns, roadsides, pastures, wastelands and urban areas, but also invading natural habitats.

Native range

Europe, Northern Africa, Middle East.

Introduced range

United States, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Japan, Australia, New Zealand.

Past interceptions (Australia): origins

United States, Japan.

Other or unidentified species of the genus also from Spain, Belgium, South Africa, UAE, Thailand, Korea, Christmas Island, New Caledonia.

Past interceptions (Australia): commodities

New vehicles, used vehicles.

Other or unidentified species of the genus also in/on steel, timber pallets, timber furniture, cut flowers, military equipment.