Common dandelion

Common Name:

dandelion, common

Scientific Name:

Taraxacum officinale

Family:

Asteraceae

Lifecycle:

Perennial/Biennial

Features

Biennial/perennial rosette with tap-root. Leaves lanceolate, large teeth with points that angle back toward the plant center. Flowers solitary, yellow. Produces a orb-shaped seedhead. Individual seed adapted with pappus for wind dispersal.

Description

One of the most common turfgrass weeds throughout the U.S. One of the few weeds easily recognized by most homeowners. Yellow flowers and orb-shaped seedhead most prominent features. Leaves edible.