Asteraceae

Taraxacum officinale

Common Names: Dandelion

Plant Form: Perennial rosette herb. Size: 5-40 cm tall. Stem: Light green, slender, pithy, exudes a milky sap when cut. Leaves: Lance shaped, often with lobes with backward pointing appearance. Flowers: Round, bright yellow, with many straplike petals. Fruit and Seeds: Small single-seeded capsule in globular grouping with hairy parachutes. Habitat: Swamps, creeks, lakes, waste areas, urban bushland. Distinguishing Features: Lance shaped leaves with backward facing lobes distinguish from other rosette herbs. Impacts: Nuisance in lawns, competes with native herb species.