Dandelion is a perennial herb with milky juice from an often branched taproot up to several feet long. Dandelions reproduce by seeds and by new shoots from the root crowns. Leaves are clustered at the top of the root crown. They vary in size, from 2 to 12 inches long, divided into pairs of lobes, which are pointed or blunt at the tips. The flower heads are 1 to 2 inches across, composed of yellow petal-like ray flowers. Heads are solitary. Achenes are 1/8 inch long, five-to eight-ribbed, the apex ends in a slender beak two to four times as long as the body of the achene, with parachute-like hairs at its apex. The genus Taraxacum is a taxonomically confusing group subject to many interpretations as to the number of species. In fact, hundreds of specific names have been published.
The common dandelion is a native to Europe, but is now cosmopolitan. It grows in moist sites, including lawns, meadows, pastures and overgrazed areas. It is good forage on the ranges, and is especially relished by sheep and cattle. Flowering occurs almost nine months of the year. |
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