Dandelion Leaf
Scientific Name: Taraxacum officinale
Category: plant
Brief Description
A green leaf from a common dandelion plant, characterized by its deeply toothed, lobed margins resembling lions' teeth.
Characteristics
Deeply lobed or toothed margins pointing downward, smooth texture, oblong or lance-shaped, exuding a milky latex sap when broken.
Habitat
Lawns, fields, disturbed ground, gardens, and roadsides worldwide.
When to Find It
Found primarily from spring through autumn when actively growing, though basal rosettes can persist through mild winters.
Conservation Status
N/A
Ecological Role
Provides early-season nectar and pollen sources for bees and other pollinators, and the leaves are consumed by various herbivores.
Easily Confused With
Chicory or sow thistles, which can be distinguished by different growth habits, flower colors, or stem characteristics.
Observation Tips
Look close to the ground in grassy areas where rosettes form flat against the soil.
Interesting Facts
The name dandelion comes from the French 'dent-de-lion', meaning lion's tooth, referring to the sharply toothed leaves.