The species of Taraxacum are tap-rooted, perennial, herbaceous plants, native to temperate areas

of the Northern Hemisphere. The genus contains many species which usually (or in the case of
triploids, obligately) reproduce by apomixis, resulting in many local populations and endemism. In
the British Isles alone, 234 microspecies are recognised in 9 loosely defined sections, of which 40
are "probably endemic".[5]
In general, the leaves are 525 cm long or longer, simple, lobed, and form a basal rosette above the
central taproot. The flower heads are yellow to orange coloured, and are open in the daytime, but
closed at night. The heads are borne singly on a hollow stem (scape) that is usually leafless and
rises 110 cm or more[2] above the leaves. Stems and leaves exude a white, milky latex when
broken. A rosette may produce several flowering stems at a time. The flower heads are 25 cm in
diameter and consist entirely of ray florets. The flower heads mature into spherical seed heads
called blowballs[6] or clocks (in both British and American English)[7][8][9][10] containing many single-
seeded fruits called achenes. Each achene is attached to a pappus of fine hairs, which enable wind-
aided dispersal over long distances.
The flower head is surrounded by bracts (sometimes mistakenly called sepals) in two series. The
inner bracts are erect until the seeds mature, then flex downward to allow the seeds to disperse. The
outer bracts are often reflexed downward, but remain appressed in plants of the
sections Palustria and Spectabilia. Some species drop the parachute from the achenes; the hair-like
parachutes are called pappus, and they are modified sepals. Between the pappus and the achene is
a stalk called a beak, which elongates as the fruit matures. The beak breaks off from the achene
quite easily, separating the seed from the parachute.

Seed dispersal[edit]

Segment of pappus fiber showing barbs

A number of species of Taraxacum are seed-dispersed ruderals that rapidly colonize disturbed soil,
especially the common dandelion (T. officinale), which has been introduced over much of the
temperate world. After flowering is finished, the dandelion flower head dries out for a day or two. The
dried petals and stamens drop off, the bracts reflex (curve backwards), and the parachute ball opens
into a full sphere.

False dandelions[edit]

Hawksbeard flower heads and ripe seeds are sometimes confused with dandelions.

Many similar plants in the Asteraceae family with yellow flowers are sometimes known as false
dandelions. Dandelions are very similar to catsears (Hypochaeris). Both plants carry similar flowers,
which form into windborne seeds. However, dandelion flowers are borne singly on unbranched,
hairless and leafless, hollow stems, while catsear flowering stems are branched, solid, and carry
bracts. Both plants have a basal rosette of leaves and a central taproot. However, the leaves of
dandelions are smooth or glabrous, whereas those of catsears are coarsely hairy.
Early-flowering dandelions may be distinguished from coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) by their basal
rosette of leaves, their lack of disc florets, and the absence of scales on the flowering stem.[11]
Other plants with superficially similar flowers include hawkweeds (Hieracium)
and hawksbeards (Crepis). These are readily distinguished by branched flowering stems, which are
usually hairy and bear leaves.

Classification[edit]
The genus is taxonomically complex, with some botanists dividing the group into about 34
macrospecies, and about 2000 microspecies;[12]about 235 apomictic and polyploid microspecies
have been recorded in Great Britain and Ireland.[13] Some botanists take a much narrower view and
only accept a total of about 60 species.[12]

Selected species[edit]
Taraxacum albidum, a white-flowering Japanese dandelion
Taraxacum aphrogenes, Paphos dandelion
Taraxacum brevicorniculatum, frequently misidentified as Taraxacum kok-saghyz, and a poor
rubber producer
Taraxacum californicum, the endangered California dandelion
Taraxacum centrasiaticum, the Xinjiang dandelion
Taraxacum ceratophorum, northern dandelion[14]
Taraxacum erythrospermum, often considered a variety of T. laevigatum[15]
Taraxacum farinosum, Turkish dandelion
Taraxacum holmboei, Trodos dandelion
Taraxacum japonicum, Japanese dandelion, no ring of smallish, downward-turned leaves under
the flowerhead
Taraxacum kok-saghyz, Russian dandelion, which produces rubber[16]
Taraxacum laevigatum, red-seeded dandelion, achenes reddish brown and leaves deeply cut
throughout length, inner bracts' tips are hooded
Taraxacum mirabile
Taraxacum officinale (syn. T. officinale subsp. vulgare), common dandelion. Found in many
forms.
Taraxacum pankhurstianum
Taraxacum platycarpum, the Korean dandelion