Scientific Name |
Taraxacum officinale Weber |
Other Names |
|
Life Cycle |
perennial |
General Description |
A tap-root perennial with a basal roseete of leaves and bright
yellow flowers on leafless stalks. |
Seedlings |
Cotyledons are smooth and circular/ovate/spatulate in shape.
Leaves form a basal rosette and are spatulate with a long petiole. By the
third leaf, the margins are wavy with irregular teeth. |
True Leaves and Stem |
Leaves have a few long hairs and are oblong to spatulate
with wavy, deeply lobed margins pointing toward the base of the rosette.
Stems are hollow and leafless. Leaves, stalks, and taproot exude a white,
milky substance when injured. |
Roots |
Taproot. |
Flower and Fruit |
Flowers are bright yellow and are producedon the end of the
stalks. Achenes are attached to a feathery pappus on a long stalk. Collectively
the seedhead forms a grayish-white ball. |
Other Information |
Dandelion leaves can be used in salads and the flowers may be used to
make wine. |