Taraxacum officinale

(Dandelion)

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Taraxacum officinale, FR568, Hinsdale Co. 3320

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Taraxacum officinale, Breckenridge, Summit Co. 1932

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Taraxacum officinale, FR568, Hinsdale Co. 3324

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Taraxacum officinale, FR568, Hinsdale Co. 3328

Scientific Name Taraxacum officinale USDA PLANTS Symbol TAOF
Common Name Dandelion ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 36213
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower) SEINet
Reference
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Description Life zones and habitat: Plains to montane (3500 to 10500 ft.); lawns, disturbed areas. roadsides, meadows.
Plant: Erect perennial 2 to 20 inches tall; stem is hollow, naked and sometimes purplish; it is smooth or upper portion somewhat hairy; milky sap.
Leaves: Basal leaves are oblanceolate to obovate in outline, usually lobed more than halfway to the midrib; 1-1/2 to 18 inches long.
Inflorescence: Solitary composite flower heads about 1-1/2 inches across, 40 to 100+ bright yellow ray flowers; phyllaries glaborous (hairless) in two rows, outer row reflexed (bent backward).
Bloom Period: March to October.
Fruit: Seed heads in large, white fuzzy ball.
References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, Burke Museum of Natural History and SEINet.
BONAP Distribution Map


Map Color Key
Colorado Status:
Introduced

© Tom Lebsack 2024

Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains