Taraxacum officinale
Asteraceae
Common Dandelion
Leaf rosette with erect stem. Stem leafless, hollow, with milky sap. Leaves bright green, pinnately divided into large lobes with lobe tips reflexed back toward stem, toothed. Flower head single, 1 in. Ray flowers 70 or more, cup formed of many bracts with outer bracts reflexed. Seeds olive-tan. Many plants have a flower structure resembling dandelion. Very similar to T. laevigatum, which has reddish brown seeds.
- Rarity: Common
- Flowering Time: Early Spring, Mid Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Mid Summer, Late Summer, Autumn
- Flower Form: Chicory Tribe, Composite
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Height: 2–8 inches
- Habitat: All Moist Soils, Disturbed, Meadow
- Found In: Mt. Rainier NP, N Cascades NP, Olympic NP
- Native: No
