Common Cat's-ear (Hypochaeris radicata) is in the Sunflowers, Daisies, Asters, and Allies family (Asteraceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,263 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in June.
Nationally it blooms mainly from May to October, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Common Cat's-ear: observations by month (U.S.)
About Common Cat's-ear
Hypochaeris radicata (sometimes spelled Hypochoeris radicata), also known as catsear, flatweed, cat's-ear, hairy cat's ear or false dandelion, is a perennial, low-lying edible herb often found in lawns. The plant is native to Europe, but has also been introduced to the Americas, Japan, Australia and New Zealand where it can be an invasive weed. It is listed as a noxious weed in Washington State, in the northwestern United States.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Common Cat's-ear by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 331 | June | May–Sep |
| Oregon | 252 | May | May–Oct |
| California | 179 | September | Jul–Sep |
| North Carolina | 95 | May | Apr–Jun |
| Georgia | 58 | May | Apr–Jun |
| New York | 56 | June | May–Jun |
| Virginia | 50 | May | Apr–Jun |
| New Jersey | 43 | August | May–Aug |
| Maryland | 42 | June | May–Aug |
| Massachusetts | 33 | June | May–Jul |
| Hawaii | 21 | July | Jul–Dec |
| Alabama | 17 | June | May–Jun |
| Michigan | 13 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Ohio | 12 | June | May–Jun |
| South Carolina | 10 | May | May–May |
| Delaware | 7 | May | Apr–Jul |
| Mississippi | 7 | April | Feb–Apr |
| Pennsylvania | 7 | May | May–Jun |
| Tennessee | 6 | May | May–May |
| Alaska | 5 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Arkansas | 5 | April | Apr–Jun |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Sunflowers, Daisies, Asters, and Allies)
black-eyed Susan
Common Yarrow
White Snakeroot
Chicory
Lawn daisy
Philadelphia fleabane
Pearly Everlasting
Blue Mistflower
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Common Cat's-ear?
Nationally, June has the most observations, with the main season from May to October.
Where is Common Cat's-ear most often seen?
The most observations come from Washington, Oregon, California.