Dandelion (also known as Common Dandelion, Blowball, Lion's Tooth)
Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Tracheophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Asterales, Family: Asteraceae, Genus: Taraxacum, Species: Taraxacum officinale · Asteraceae (Aster, Daisy, or Sunflower family) · Simple, herbaceous, deciduous perennial
Species
Taraxacum officinale
Leaf Type
Simple, herbaceous, deciduous perennial
Family
Asteraceae (Aster, Daisy, or Sunflower family)
Shape
Oblanceolate to spatulate with deeply lobed, runcinate margins
Size
Approximately 4-6 inches long and 1-2 inches wide, typical for a mature specimen in a favorable environment
Margin
Runcinate, deeply lobed with triangular, sharply toothed lobes pointing backward toward the base
Arrangement
Basal rosette directly rising from the root crown, with no true stem leaves
Rarity
Very Common, ubiquitous in urban, suburban, and rural landscapes worldwide
Color & Pattern
Muted olive-green due to pressing and drying, originally vibrant medium to dark green, uniform without variegation
Venation Pattern
Pinnate venation with a prominent central midrib extending the length of the blade
Texture & Surface
Papery and dry due to press-drying, originally smooth to slightly hairy with a somewhat fleshy consistency
Description
Taraxacum officinale is a hardy herbaceous perennial characterized by a low-growing basal rosette of deeply lobed leaves and a thick, fleshy taproot. It produces bright yellow composite flower heads on hollow, leafless stalks that mature into iconic spherical seed heads adorned with feathery parachutes.
Key Features
Deeply runcinate-lobed leaves forming a basal rosette, milky sap exuded when broken, hollow flower scapes, and composite yellow flowers followed by wind-dispersed seed parachutes
Habitat
Disturbed soils, lawns, fields, meadows, roadsides, and gardens; thrives in full sun to partial shade and a wide variety of soil types
Geographic Range
Native to Eurasia and North America, now naturalized and widespread globally across temperate and subtropical regions
Condition Notes
Pressed and dried botanical specimen in stable, fair to good condition, showing expected color loss and flattening from herbarium preservation
Interesting Facts
The name dandelion comes from the French dent-de-lion, meaning lion's tooth, referring to the sharply toothed leaves. Every part of the plant is edible and rich in vitamins A, C, and K.
Medicinal & Uses
Used traditionally as a mild diuretic, digestive aid, and liver tonic. Leaves are eaten in salads or cooked as greens, roots are roasted as a coffee substitute, and flowers are used to make wine.
Ecological Role
Provides critical early-season nectar and pollen sources for bees and other pollinators. Seeds are heavily consumed by birds and small mammals
Similar Species
Cat's ear (Hypochaeris radicata) and sow thistles (Sonchus species), which can be distinguished by having hairy leaves or branching stems with multiple flower heads
Foraging Tips
Look for basal rosettes in lawns and open fields, particularly in early spring when leaves are tender and less bitter. Harvest before the plant flowers for the best culinary flavor
Toxicity Warning
Non-toxic and entirely edible, though caution should be exercised when foraging from lawns treated with pesticides or heavy roadside pollution