Hypochaeris glabra
Smooth cat's-ear
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes
Hypochaeris glabra (Smooth cat's-ear) is a non-native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by . Key differences: leaf shape, involucre size, dimorphic fruits.
Smooth cat's-ear is a naturalized perennial found in the California Floristic Province in disturbed areas, grasslands, and open woodlands at elevations below 1,630 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces yellow flowers in heads 8 to 16 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems 10 to 60 centimeters tall emerging from a thin taproot, it spreads in loose clusters. Its leaves are 2 to 10 centimeters long, ranging from entire to shallowly lobed, occasionally featuring minutely toothed edges. The fruit is characterized by distinctive pappus bristles that are densely feathery in the lower third and lightly plumose throughout.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species. Key differences: leaf shape, involucre size, dimorphic fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Disturbed areas, grassland, open woodland
Elevation: < 1630 m
Outside California: to British Columbia, eastern United States, native to Europe
Bloom period
Hypochaeris glabra blooms Mar-Jun.
Conservation status
Cal-IPC Yes
How to tell it apart
vs Taraxacum: Hypochaeris has small bracts on the flowering stem; Taraxacum has completely smooth, bractless stems.; vs Leontodon: Hypochaeris has branched stems with bracts; Leontodon has unbranched, bractless stems.; vs Agoseris: Hypochaeris has small bracts along the flowering stem; Agoseris has completely smooth, bractless stems.; vs Crepis: Hypochaeris has stems with small bracts and often branches; Crepis stems branch extensively with many small flower heads.; vs Uropappus: Hypochaeris has bracts on the flowering stem; Uropappus has smooth stems and distinctive silvery seed plumes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hypochaeris glabra native to California?
No. Hypochaeris glabra is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Hypochaeris glabra bloom?
Hypochaeris glabra blooms Mar-Jun.
What plant family does Hypochaeris glabra belong to?
Hypochaeris glabra is in the Asteraceae family, genus Hypochaeris.
Is Hypochaeris glabra invasive in California?
Hypochaeris glabra is listed by Cal-IPC with an invasiveness rating of Yes.
What habitat does Hypochaeris glabra grow in?
Hypochaeris glabra grows in Common. Disturbed areas, grassland, open woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.