Edge/ Chicory

COMMON NAME: Cat’s Ear

OTHER COMMON NAME(S):

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Hypochoeris radicata

FAMILY: Asteraceae

COMMUNITY: Edge

STATUS: Naturalized from Eurasia

LIFESPAN: Perennial

HEIGHT: 6 to 24 inches

FLOWERING TIME: Late May to October

FRUITING TIME: July to October

DISTRIBUTION: Newfoundland to North Carolina ~ Statewide in New Jersey

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Stem branched above, lower stem with sharp-pointed hairs uncomfortable to touch ~ Basal leaves oblong to lance shaped, toothed, sharp-pointed hairs ~ Heads several, many-flowered, yellow, showy, bristles, broad, no disk flower only ray florets ~ Fibrous-rooted or more often several roots enlarged

GENERAL INFORMATION: This large family (Asteraceae), commonly called the Aster Family, consists of 1,314 genera and 21,000 species of herbs, shrubs, climbers and a few trees is found chiefly in temperate and subtropical regions.  The plants are of value to man as ornamentals; a few are insecticides and fish poisons. Cat’s Ear is a weed of dry, open, disturbed ground and the plant can be found on roadsides, pastures, fields and waste places. The species (radicata) means “having roots” and refers to the firm fibrous root of Cat’s Ear.  The many-flowered head resembles the ear of a cat. The Blue Grouse found in the Pacific Northwest consumes Cat’s Ear.  In the winter this plant is 5% to 10% of its diet.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.