Japanese name: ブタナ（豚菜） Scientific name:Hypochaeris radicata
[Overview]
A perennial about 80 cm tall, found in grassland and fields.
The leaves are basal, usually pinnately lobed, and covered with yellowish-brown hairs on both surfaces.
An erect, branching flower stalk arises from the leaf axils and bears a single yellow flower head 3–4 cm across at its tip.
The flower stalk has black, scale-like reduced leaves here and there.
The florets making up the flower head are all ligulate florets.
The involucre is green, with a single row of white hairs on the back.
The fruit is an achene with a pappus and is dispersed by the wind.
[History]
It was confirmed in Sapporo in 1933 and in Kobe in 1934, and has since become naturalized in various places.
[Uses]
The young leaves and stems are used in salads and similar dishes.
The roots can be roasted and used as a coffee substitute.
[Notes]
It is designated as an Alien Species Requiring Caution under the Invasive Alien Species Act.
