About Hypochaeris glabra L.
Hypochaeris glabra L. is a species of flowering plant. It belongs to the tribe Cichorieae of the family Asteraceae, and is commonly known as smooth cat's ear. This plant is native to Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. It has been introduced to other continents, where it occurs as a widespread weed. It has become widely established across Africa, southern and southeastern Asia, Australia, and parts of the Americas, especially California. Hypochaeris glabra is an annual herb that grows a small taproot, a basal rosette of leaves, and one or more thin stems that reach 10 to 40 centimeters (4 to 16 inches) in height. Its leaves measure 2 to 10 centimeters (3⁄4 to 4 inches) long. They are green, sometimes develop a purplish tint near their veins, and have either smooth edges or small lobes. Flower heads sit at the top of the thin, naked stems. These flower heads have small overlapping purple-tipped phyllaries and bright yellow ray florets. The fruit produced by this plant is a cylindrical achene, topped with a white pappus that is almost 1 centimeter (3⁄8 inch) long.
