About Hypochaeris chillensis (Kunth) Britton
Hypochaeris chillensis (Kunth) Britton, sometimes misspelled Hypochoeris, is commonly called Brazilian cat's ear. It is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. This plant is native to South America, specifically Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Brazil, and Uruguay. It has become naturalized in parts of North America, South Africa, and Taiwan, and it is a common, widespread weed in the Southeast United States. Hypochaeris chillensis is a perennial herb that grows a taproot, a basal rosette of leaves, and one or more thin stems that reach 20 to 60 centimetres (7.9 to 23.6 inches) tall. Its green leaves measure 5 to 25 centimetres (2.0 to 9.8 inches) long, and can be either entire or lobed. Flower heads sit atop the thin, naked stems; these heads hold small golden yellow ray florets, and are typically 1 centimetre (0.39 inches) in diameter. Hypochaeris chillensis is used as a medicinal plant in Brazil. Both its leaves and roots are edible, and can be eaten either raw or cooked. In the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, it is consumed raw as a component of green salads.
