Dandelion
Scientific Name: Taraxacum officinale
Category: plant
Brief Description
A common herbaceous perennial plant known for its bright yellow flowers and subsequent seed heads with feathery pappi, growing in a basal rosette.
Characteristics
Features a basal rosette of deeply toached or lobed leaves (hence the name 'dent-de-lion', meaning lion's tooth) and a taproot system. It produces bright yellow composite flower heads on hollow stalks that turn into white seed globes.
Habitat
Lawns, fields, disturbed soil, gardens, and along roadsides.
When to Find It
Blooming primarily in spring, though flowers can appear sporadically throughout the growing season from spring to autumn.
Conservation Status
N/A
Ecological Role
Provides an important early source of nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators. The seeds are eaten by various birds.
Easily Confused With
Cat's-ear (Hypochaeris radicata) and Hawkweeds (Hieracium spp.), which can be distinguished by having hairy leaves and branched stems with multiple flower heads, unlike the single flower head per hollow stalk of the dandelion.
Observation Tips
Look in open, sunny areas with disturbed soils such as lawns or fields.
Interesting Facts
Every part of the dandelion is edible and rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals like iron and calcium.