Turfmate field notes · Weeds

Catsear / flatweed

Hypochaeris radicata

A hairy rosette and branched yellow-flowered stalks.

Catsear plant and yellow flowers.
Catsear plant and yellow flowers.
Photo: Tony Rebelo · source · CC BY-SA 4.0. Displayed at reduced size; card crops fit the layout.

What to look for

  • A basal rosette with noticeably hairy leaves.
  • Yellow flower heads on stalks that can branch.
  • A persistent crown can survive a superficial pull.

Confirm it before you treat it

Catsear is often called dandelion, but those names are not interchangeable for a product label. True dandelion typically carries one head on an unbranched hollow stalk. Ask for identification when flowers or leaf hairs are missing.

What to do next

  1. Remove the crown carefully from small infestations.
  2. Prevent seed return where practical and restore cover in the space left behind.
  3. Check rosettes before mowing removes the most useful identification features.
Seasonal watch

Conditions matter more than dates.

A persistent broadleaf weed that grows whenever local moisture and temperature suit it.

Spring and autumn are useful inspection periods in temperate lawns. Treat active growth according to the label, not a fixed date.

Explore your region & month ↗

Can I call it dandelion and use the same treatment?

Identify it properly first. Similar-looking weeds can have different label coverage and grass-safety considerations.

Keep investigating

Similar problems. Different solutions.

Reviewed 10 October 2026 · Turfmate. Seasonal windows are indicative planning guidance, not measured outbreak or prevalence data.

Technical sources & image credits

Photos support identification and may have been taken outside Australia. Appearance varies with species, mowing and conditions. A Turfmate product link does not imply endorsement by a photographer or source.