Can anyone identify this flower?

[Tringa]

We have lots of this yellow flower growing wild in the garden. The position is a steep bank facing south/south west about 300m from the sea in NW Scotland.

I assume it is a common wild flower because it is growing all over, but I am useless at identifying wild plants.

TIA

PS Anyone know a good book to help wild plant identification?

[tcvarlh]

Looks like Common Cats-Ear to me ( Hypochoeris radicata ) There are some good sites, try this one: UK Wildlife Natural History - Wild Flowers Insects Mammals Beetles Birds Bugs Moths Butteflies It does the job for me
h

[leifus]

cat's-ear indeed they have smooth stems

[tcvarlh]

Then it might be Lesser Hawkbit (Leontodon taraxacoides)
Flowerhead diameter c 12-20 mm. Stems typically 5-20 cm high, a smaller plant than Autumn Hawkbit.
Has no leaves or bracts on the stem, not even tiny scale-like bracts as in other Cats Ears and Hawkbits. Dandelions are the only similar species with completely bare stems. Told from Dandelions by the achene having either no beak or one shorter than the rest of the achene.
And if it's not that then, someone else make an id and not just disparage.

This site is becoming more annoying every week.

[aeshna5]

Looks like Common Cat's-ear to me.

[leifus]

Originally Posted by tcvarlh

Then it might be Lesser Hawkbit (Leontodon taraxacoides)
Flowerhead diameter c 12-20 mm. Stems typically 5-20 cm high, a smaller plant than Autumn Hawkbit.
Has no leaves or bracts on the stem, not even tiny scale-like bracts as in other Cats Ears and Hawkbits. Dandelions are the only similar species with completely bare stems. Told from Dandelions by the achene having either no beak or one shorter than the rest of the achene.
And if it's not that then, someone else make an id and not just disparage.

This site is becoming more annoying every week.

I was agreeing with you it is cat's-ear because the leaves are lobed, in a basal rosette, and fairly hairy. The stem is also smooth and the flowers have that distinctive look (can't really describe it).

[tcvarlh]

So Sorry Leifus, I had a very disappointing day and mis-read your post, then re-acted so rudely. Apologies to you,
H

[leifus]

Originally Posted by tcvarlh

So Sorry Leifus, I had a very disappointing day and mis-read your post, then re-acted so rudely. Apologies to you,
H

quite alright. I understand

L

[Tringa]

Thanks everyone