Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Taraxacum officinale G.H. Weber ex F.H. Wiggers
(Dandelion, Common Dandelion)

Family: Asteraceae

Status: Exotic

Synonyms:
Taraxacum mexicanum A.P. de Candolle
Taraxacum taraxacum (Linnaeus) Karsten

Taraxacum officale is the common Dandelion, the same as is known from lawns all over the west. It has only ray flowers, which are bright yellow. The leaves are lobed or pinnatifid. The achenes and pappus form a sphere before the wind disperses them.
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Taraxacum officinale, photo Russ Kleinman, Silver City, May 19, 2007



Taraxacum officinale, inflorescence showing phyllaries, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Meadow Creek, Sept. 5, 2008



Taraxacum officinale, with achenes, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Meadow Creek, Sept. 5, 2008



Taraxacum officinale, with achenes, photo Russ Kleinman, Tyrone, Nov. 8, 2007


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