Dandelion only has one flower per stalk. Even a small piece of the root left in the ground can regenerate. Fruit: Narrowly obovoid, granular, 3–6 mm (0.12–0.24 in.) Photo by L. M. Sosnoskie. Photo by L. M. Sosnoskie. Many tools are available to assist growers, PCAs, and other crop consultants with weed identification; this includes the reference materials listed below. Dandelions, also known as Taraxacum officinale, are a type of flowering plant native to Europe, Asia and North America. On one hand, a sea of yellow flowers carpeting farm fields flanking Ohio's interstates in the spring provides welcome relief from highway monotony. Blood sugar. Dandelion roots can act as a mild laxative and may improve digestion. Dandelion leaves are only at the base. Controls Carolina geranium, species of chickweed, clover and dandelion, vetch, dollarweed and common groundsel. And the roots can be dried and steeped for a tea. Telling the micro-species apart means paying close attention to e.g. The name dandelion originated from the French “dent de lion,” meaning “lion’s tooth,” referring to the serrated leaves, not the bright-yellow bloom. The first leaves are football-shaped; later leaves are elongated and club-shaped with weakly-toothed margins or are deeply- and pinnately-lobed with rounded indentations. Often many-branched, stem unbranched, leafless, hollow, soft scape, containing abundantly milky latex. At bolting, hairy fleabane sends up a many branched stem upon which flowers are produced. You may know dandelion as a stubborn weed in your garden, but this plant may also benefit your health. By: Anil Shrestha, Kurt Hembree, and Steven Wright. The species is, predominantly, a winter annual and sometimes a summer annual. As a member of the daisy family of plants, dandelions are related to dahlias, thistle, ragweed, lettuce, artichokesand sunflowers. Spines on the underside of the midrib vein of a prickly lettuce leaf. Laxative. Dandelions produce many small yellow flowers, called florets, which collectively form one flower head. The cat’s ear leaves are quite hairy while the dandelion leaves are smooth. Flowers (0.3 to 0.4 inches [8 to 10 mm] in diameter) are pale yellow; flowering occurs, typically, from April to October. Photo by L. M. Sosnoskie. Like other species in the Asteraceae family, the pappuses (0.2 to 0.3 inches [5 to 8 mm] in length) attached to individual seeds give the seedhead it's cotton ball-like appearance. Even hay with a small amount of contamination can be problematic as pyrrolizidine alkaloid poisoning can accumulate in the livestock over months of feeding. Horseweed: http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/WEEDS/horseweed.html. An Arabian doctor first recorded dandelion’s curative properties in the 10th century. Taproot vertical, usually very strong. On the other hand, dandelions brighten up their environment with their shining yellow flowers, especially at the beginning of summer, and blowing the seeds from the clocks is a source of great fun later on for children, and adults who are young at heart. Dandelion leaves and flowers, both dried and fresh, act as an appetite stimulant and may also help to improve an upset stomach. Annual sowthistle is not native to North America but has become naturalized throughout the US and Canada. Hairy fleabane seedheads. Hairy fleabane leaves are grey-greenish in color and are often wavy, crinkled, or twisted as compared to horseweed. the position of the involucral bracts, the size of the capitula, the colour and breadth of the corolla and any absence of pollen. The dichotomous nature of Butterweed may test the tolerance of lovers of native wildflowers. Repeated consumption of common groundsel, can result in irreversible liver poisoning of livestock; consequently, a quick and proper ID of this species is important for limiting animal exposure to toxic alkaloids. Upon bolting, plants send up a single, erect stem that can reach heights of 10 feet (3 m). At the seedling stage of development, horseweed and hairy fleabane resemble each other, morphologically; differences become more apparent past the 12 to 15 leaf stage. Wait 4 weeks to reseed. Ragwort poisoning in horses is an ever-present threat. Your local county farm advisors can also be an extremely useful resources for determining the identity of suspect species. How to tell some of the common Asteraceae weeds apart. Dandelion is increasingly being shown in research to help fight cancer, prevent osteoporosis, treat Alzheimer’s disease and much more. Leaves: In basal rosette, stalked–stalkless. Also on shores and wetlands. Purslane. It is also found throughout mild climates of the northern hemisphere. Stems and leaves exude a milky sap when cut or broken. The resultant seedheads resemble those of dandelions, although they are much smaller in size (0.2 to 0.3 inches [5 to 7 cm] in diameter). Even professional botanists rarely acquire such proficiency, and most are happy to regard dandelions as mere dandelions. Plants produce deep tap roots with fibrous lateral roots. The character behind that song is a bard by the name of Jaskier who accompanies Geralt on his adventures, and if you've played The Witcher games or read the books, you might have noticed a striking resemblance between Jaskier and the character, Dandelion. Following leaves are alternately arranged in a rosette, are usually more deeply (but irregularly) lobed, and may also be hairless to hairy. Dandelion by Alexander van Loon is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 US. Taraxacum officinale is found as a weed throughout California and T. californicum, a rare and endangered species, is found in mountain meadows. The separation was partially based on genetic studies. The youngest leaves are egg-shaped with shallowly-toothed edges, the base of the leaves may be purple on the underside. The health benefits of dandelion greens cannot be overstated. At bolting, hairy fleabane produces a many branched stem (0.5 to 3 feet [0.15 to 0.9 m] in height) upon which numerous cream- to yellow-colored flowers are held. OK, let's get one of the most pressing aspects of Dandelion biology out of the way first, their name. A mature Prickly lettuce stem exhibiting prickly/spiny stems and deeply lobed leaves with prominent midrib veins. May flower late in autumn. If you've been watching Netflix's The Witcher, then you've probably had the song, Toss A Coin To Your Witcher, stuck in your head once or twice. Sow thistle usually has many flowers sprouting out on each stalk. Common groundsel plants produce small taproots with fibrous lateral roots. Seeds are wind-dispersed. Dandelion plants are difficult to kill because of the long tap root, which can reach down up to 18 inches. The amount of light, nutrition and other environmental factors also affect the way it looks. Bolting horseweed. Dandelion Salad with Goats Cheese and Tomato Dressing. Note the spatula-shaped (spoon-shaped) leaves with finely-toothed margins. Dandelions are one of the most infamous of weeds. The presence of common groundsel can be problematic for alfalfa and forage producers; the species produces pyrrolizidine alkaloids, that can lead to liver damage in livestock following consumption. Moreover, the flower can be used in wine or boiled and stir-fried. Plants eventually produce many "puffball", dandelion … Also when the leaves or stem of Like other members of the Asteraceae, prickly lettuce seeds possess pappuses (0.16 to 0.2 (4 to 5 mm) in length) that facilitate wind dispersal. Weeds are a problem in a variety of systems, from agronomic and horticultural crops, to orchards and vineyards, to turf and ornamentals, to rangelands, and to natural areas. Family: Daisy Family – Compositae, subfamily Cichorioideae (formerly Chicory Family – Cichoriaceae). While similar in general appearance (i.e. Gynoecium composed of 2 fused carpels. Identifying dandelion is difficult and demands expertise. The midrib vein is pronounced and covered with a row of prominent spines on the underside. There are gaps in the data on Finland’s dandelions and several species have still not been scientifically described. The species can only be studied in the wild in the first 2–3 weeks of summer, its main flowering time. Common groundsel at the bolting stage. The dandelion may be a lawn-lover’s worst nightmare, but to an herbalist, it is the poster child for wild weeds. broad, surrounded by involucral bracts. Capitulum flowers yellow (outermost often with grey or red streaks), tongue-like, tip 5-toothed. Ortho GroundClear Weed & Grass Killer with sprayer has been specifically formulated to kill all types of weeds that are green and growing. Prickly lettuce: http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/WEEDS/prickly_lettuce.html, Young prickly lettuce rosette. Leaves of hairy fleabane are also twisted, crinkled or wavy in appearance. Wait 4 weeks to reseed. Not unlike hairy fleabane, horseweed leaves are alternate and are arranged in a rosette; however, horseweed leaves are typically a darker shade of green, as compared to fleabane. According to the USDA's PLANTS database (https://plants.usda.gov), the species can be found in California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, and across the southern US to as far north as Virginia. Habitat: Often in areas of human activity such as meadows, banks and waste ground. Common groundsel is in the Asteraceae family, which also includes sunflower, dandelion, and thistles. (Kasviatlas, University of Helsinki), Alpine Sow­thistle, Alpine Sweetgrasses, Autumn Hawkbit, Blue Sowthistle, Chicory, Common Hawkweeds, Field Milk-thistle, Goat's-beard, Hawkweed Oxtongue, Leafy Hawkweeds, Mouse-ear Hawkweeds, Narrowleaf Hawksbeard, Nipplewort, Pilosella Cauligera, Prickly Lettuce, Rough Hawkbit, Rough Hawksbeard, Smooth Sow-thistle, Spiny Milk-thistle, Spotted Cat's­ Ear, Viper's Grass, Wall Hawkweeds, Wall Lettuce. Biology and management of horseweed and hairy fleabane in California. Horseweed populations with resistance to glyphosate and with resistance to both glyphosate and paraquat have been confirmed in California. They benefit the gallbladder, liver and kidney. Notice the single erect non-branching stem. Cream- to yellow-colored are produced in dense panicles from mid-summer to fall. Annual sowthistle produces a short and think taproot with many lateral roots. They contain vitamins A, B, C and D. They are a good source of minerals such as potassium, iron, calcium and zinc. Leaves on the stems are clasping at the base. A Brief History of Dandelion. Photo by L. M. Sosnoskie. Sow thistle leaves grow all the way up the stalk, as well as at the base of the plant. Species differ with respect to their emergence timing, life history traits, competitive interactions with the crop, potential to harm livestock, and sensitivity to available herbicides, among other characteristics. Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California. Photo by L. M. Sosnoskie. Like common groundsel, woodland groundsel is an annual, but mature plants reach up to 2½ feet tall. 2 Killer Weeds – Ragwort And The Groundsels. Mature rosette of annual sowthistle. This superfood is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, and iron. Telling the micro-species apart means paying close attention to e.g. Prevents: black mustard, redstem filaree, downy brome, rattail fescue, bahiagrass, crabgrass, annual trampweed, red sorrel, cutleaf primrose, tall fescue, and orchardgrass. Several species of Asteraceaeare found throughout California in many different agricultural and non-agricultural environments; these include: hairy fleabane (Erigeron (Conyza) bonariensis), horseweed (Erigeron (Conyza) canadensis), annual sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus), prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola), and common groundsel (Senecio vulgaris). All rights reserved. Simply stated, because not all weeds are created equal. Common groundsel produces small, yellow flowers in clusters. The youngest leaves are egg-shaped with shallowly-toothed edges, the base of the leaves may be purple on the underside. Leaves are deeply lobed with the terminal lobe being triangular in shape. Because annual sowthistle can be both a summer and a winter annual, flowers can be produced year-round when conditions are favorable. This blog post has been developed to help you distinguish among these species. Overview Information Dandelion is an herb that is native to Europe. Common groundsel leaves demonstrating deep, but irregular, lobed patterns. Purslane can often be found in moist garden beds, lawns, and shady areas, where it lies … Dandelions in Finland are known by the collective name Taraxacum officinale, but they should really be spoken about in plural form because they are so diverse, comprised of about 500 micro-species in Finland alone. Identifying the presence of poisonous plant species is also critical for some producers. Stems are erect and hollow between nodes and can reach heights of 4 feet [1.2 m]. But why? Old aliens have disappeared, but new ones are found every year. Individual flowers are surrounded by green bracts with black tips. Most species flower only once in the summer and the rest change appearance according to the season. Biotypes of fleabane can emerge fall through spring with the earlier emerging plants over-wintering as rosettes. The stems are covered with stiff hairs that give them a spiny appearance and are branched at the terminal apex. According to the USDA's PLANTS database, the species has been found in all 50 states and most of Canada. A biennial attaining a height between 60 to 100cms (2ft to 3ft 6inches), common ragwort can be found growing in dry grassland. Flower: Single flower-like capitula approx. This is basically summer in a salad. Horseweed plants produce taproots along with fibrous lateral roots. Photo by L. M. Sosnoskie. The common dandelion is a most familiar flower: counting down the 'clock', while blowing the fluffy seeds from its head, is a favourite childhood game. \"Dandelion\" is an English corruption of the French name for this plant: \"dent de lion\" meaning \"lion's tooth\", a reference to the tooth-like serrations on the plant's leaves. The first true leaf is round to egg-shaped although following leaves become spatulate with prickly margins. Packera glabella - Butterweed, Yellowtop, Cressleaf Groundsel, Floodplain Ragwort.Packera was separated from the Senecio genus and contains what were categorized as the aureoid senecios (I assume this means "golden ragworts") by Asa Gray. Why is weed identification so important? It is rare for a plant to be so common, well-known and vigorously hated as dandelion. Photo by D. D. MacLean. Groundsel definition, any composite plant of the genus Senecio, especially S. vulgaris, a common weed having clusters of small yellow disk flowers without rays. They are serious pest plants because they are posonous to grazing livestock. Here’s a view of the basal rosette of a cat’s ear plant. Controls Carolina geranium, species of chickweed, clover and dandelion, vetch, dollarweed and common groundsel. Properly identifying these and other species is the first step in developing a safe and effective weed management program in crop production systems. Flowering occurs, predominantly, mid-summer through fall. Identifying dandelion is difficult and demands expertise. It is classified as a winter annual since the seeds germinate in late fall through early spring. Make with or without the pasta, and pop it straight out as the star of your spread with such little effort. Dandelion was once called “piddle bed” because of its ability to increase urine flow. Unfortunately, weed identification is not a simple task, especially when it comes to members of the Asteraceae, one of the largest plant families in the world. It is often thought of as a 'weed' of grassy places. It is classified as a winter annual since the seeds germinate in late fall through early spring. Horseweed, also known as marestail,is an annual (sometimes biennial) herb that is native to California and most other parts of North America. Once it has finished flowering, the flower head dries out, the florets drop off and a … Plants exist as a basal rosette (with alternating leaves) before sending up a single flower stalk that can reach heights of 6.5 feet (2 m). For the best taste, harvest dandelion greens and dig … Consequently, the type and timing of weed control events need to be designed to target problematic species so that control is maximized, weed seed return to the soil seedbank is minimized, and crop yields are protected. The 3rd Annual UAV/Ag Technology Field Day on July 15th, Upcoming Extension Meetings - May 2019 - UC Small Grains - Alfalfa/Forages Field Day, Weed Identification - Why it's important and where to go for help. Leaves of annual sowthistle on flower stems are clasping at the base. Identify species based on their characteristics! Individual flowers are approximately ½ to 1 inch in diameter and are grouped together in clusters. The dandelion, which grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9, is a perennial that survives in many growing conditions with a deep taproot. The species is classified as a winter and summer annual and sometimes a biennial. Hairy Fleabane: http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/WEEDS/hairy_fleabane.html. Prickly lettuce is not native to North America but has become naturalized throughout the US and Canada. Unlike hairy fleabane, lateral branches are shorter than the main branch. The plant has often been described as having a ‘ragged' or ‘scraggly' appearance. Over 30 million years old, the dandelion thrives in the face of resistance, growing in poorly nourished environments and greeting passersby The common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a prolific intruder of lawns, primarily blooming in spring with an encore appearance in fall. On the other hand, upright 2 – 3' tall plants bolting seemingly out of nowhere in Ohio landscapes presents a weed management challenge. NOTE: Heavy lawn grass or well established difficult to control weeds, such as Bermudagrass, Nimblewill, Dandelion, or Canada thistle may require a repeat application. At maturity, plants may send up a single stem or else a series of branches from the base; stem heights can reach 2 feet (0.6 m). Hairy fleabane leaves are grey-greenish in color and are often wavy, crinkled, or twisted. Involucral bracts in 2 rows, inner bracts same length, erect, outer bracts shorter, usually spreading–descending. From: Weeds of California and Other Western States by J. M. Ditomaso and E. A. Healy. The number of ray petals in cressleaf groundsel helps to distinguish it from any of the mustard species which only have 4 yellow petals per flower. The leaves can be boiled or used raw in a salad. From: Weeds of California and Other Western States by J. M. Ditomaso and E. A. Healy. Dandelion Doom is a selective, broadleaf weed spot treatment that uses a specially formulated iron chelate solution. Photo by L. M. Sosnoskie. Hairy fleabane plants produce taproots along with fibrous lateral roots. Whereas single hairy fleabane plants have been estimated to produce up to 20,000 seeds per plant, horseweed plants can produce more than 200,000. Photo by L. M. Sosnoskie. Even professional botanists rarely acquire such proficiency, and most are happy to regard dandelions as mere dandelions. The ready-to-use sprayer makes it … Common groundsel is not native to North America but has become naturalized throughout the US and Canada. By: Joe DiTomaso and Evelyn Healy, https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/Details.aspx?itemNo=3488 (For purchase, link to online UC ANR store), Notes in the Margins: Agronomy and Weed Science Musings. https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/pdf/8314.pdf, Glyphosate-resistant hairy fleabane documented in the Central Valley: By: Anil Shrestha, Brad Hanson, and Kurt Hembree. Fleabane and sowthistle and groundsel, oh my! Waging war on dandelions, which have deep-reaching taproots and are easily fertilized, has often resulted in defeat. There’s cheese, there’s bacon, there’s a sweet dressing, all-over crisp fresh leaves and of course, your new best friend dandelion. Do not exceed 3 applications or 12 fluid ounces per acre per year. Common groundsel is not native to North America but has become naturalized throughout the US and Canada. At bolting, horseweed sends up a single, erect stem upon which flowers are produced. In the early spring, new sprouts will emerge from the taproot, which can … Photo by J. M. DiTomaso. Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, also known as lion's tooth, puffball, blowball, and monk's head, is a major problem in home lawns, commercial turf, ornamental plantings, pastures, and tree and vine crops. Some early studies using dandelions and animals have found that eating the plant can help to normalize levels of blood sugar. alternate leaves arranged as a basal rosette, flowers produced on upright stems, and seeds with pappuses that allow for wind dispersal), hairy fleabane, horseweed, annual sowthistle, prickly lettuce, and common groundsel all possess unique morphological and phenological characteristics that differentiate them from one another. Individual seeds each possess a pappus, a tuft of hair that aids with wind dispersal, which gives the seedheads their fuzzy appearance. The species is, predominantly, a winter annual and sometimes a summer annual. Individual seeds possess a pappus (0.12 to 0.16 inches [3 to 4 mm] in length) on one end that facilitates wind-dispersal. Annual sowthistle: http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/WEEDS/annual_sowthistle.html. This vast range of diversity is due to apomixis: the majority of plants multiply asexually, without pollination to help the seeds develop. Dandelion root and leaves have a cleansing and purifying effect on all major body systems. The first step in developing an effective weed management program is being able to properly identify the weed species that are infesting a field. Height: 10–50 cm (4–20 in.). For example, the type and timing of herbicide applications are directly influenced by the emergence patterns of the target species as well as their sensitivity to available products. It was known as lion's tooth in other Latin based languages in Europe, too, so the English corruption may have evolved separately numerous times.It's scientific name is Taraxacum officinale. The importance of proper weed identification. The roots and leaves of the dandelion contain similar qualities, but at different levels. http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/WEEDS/hairy_fleabane.html, http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/WEEDS/horseweed.html, http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/WEEDS/annual_sowthistle.html, http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/WEEDS/prickly_lettuce.html, http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/WEEDS/common_groundsel.html, https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/pdf/8314.pdf, http://calag.ucanr.edu/archive/?type=pdf&article=ca.v062n03p116, https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/Details.aspx?itemNo=3488, Save The Date! Hairy fleabane populations with resistance to glyphosate and with resistance to both glyphosate and paraquat have been confirmed in California. Photo by L. M. Sosnoskie. Growing form: Perennial herb. There are 64 species of Packera recognized worldwide as of this writing (April 2012), over 50 … For comparison, Lynn Sosnoskie, an author of this post, is 5'3” tall. 2–3 cm (0.8–2-12 in.) Those who like to keep their gardens and lawns in good shape wouldn’t shed any tears for a few less dandelions. Photo by L. M. Sosnoskie. Hairy fleabane (also called asthma weed and flax-leaf fleabane)is an annual (sometimes biennial) herb that is not native to California. Stamens 5. While the first leaves produced are roughly oval- to spatula-shaped, later leaves tend to be more linear with entire to weakly-toothed margins. Lateral branches can be longer in length than the main stem. Older leaves are deeply lobed with the terminal lobe being large and triangular in shape. The root has been roasted to make a coffee substitute and the capitula produce excellent cordials and wines. Ragwort – Jacobaea vulgaris. © Copyright: Images: Jouko Lehmuskallio. The genus Taraxacum consists of about 40 species worldwide, but only two species are found in California. Mature groundsel plant displaying a many-branched habit, flowers in clusters, and fuzzy seedheads. See more. Flowering can occur throughout the year. To identify shepherd’s purse from dandelion look at the lobes in the rosette leaves, if the leaves come to points towards the center of the rosette, it is a dandelion3. Its yellow flower heads have ray flowers, as do those of tansy ragwort, but woodland groundsel’s ray flowers are tiny—less than 2 mm long—while tansy ragwort’s are 4-10 mm long. Horseweed growth habit. Apply to newly seeded or sprigged turf after third mowing or when tillering and secondary root development has occurred. Broken or cut leaves and stems will exude a white sap. Flowers (0.5 to 1 inch [1.2 to 2.5 cm] in diameter) resemble those of dandelions except they are a light yellow in color. This favours the preservation of even the smallest hereditary mutations and the result is a growing group of independent forms that deviate from each other in tiny ways. Blade usually elliptic–narrowly obovate (sometimes linear), margin varyingly pinnate (sometimes almost entire). The pattern of horseweed germination and emergence is like that of hairy fleabane, were seedlings can emerge from the fall through early spring. Capitulum solitary terminating scape. Broadleaf weeds absorb Dandelion Doom easily and in larger quantities than grass does, which leads to cellular damage and ultimate plant … Like hairy fleabane, horseweed produces seeds that possess a pappus (0.10 to 0.12 inches [2.5 to 3 mm] in length) that facilitates wind dispersal. Horseweed stems can reach heights up to 10 feet. And this is where we can finally see some distinguishing characteristics between dandelion and cat’s ear. Photo by L. M. Sosnoskie. Leaves are a grey-green in color, hairy, and are arranged alternate to each other. long achene, crowned with unbranched hairs on end of long beak. "Groundsel, or ragwort, belongs to a large genus of about 1200 species, yet few people know these common weeds. Common Groundsel: http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/WEEDS/common_groundsel.html. Photo by L. M. Sosnoskie. The leaves taste good to animals and are fit for the salad bowl too. Annual sowthistle seedling. For instance, the presence of glyphosate-resistant weeds like hairy fleabane and horseweed may reduce the value of glyphosate as a stand alone active ingredient. Photo by J. M. DiTomaso. Flowering time: (April–)May–July. Apply to newly seeded or sprigged turf after third mowing or when tillering and secondary root development has occurred. Dandelion has many medicinal uses. http://calag.ucanr.edu/archive/?type=pdf&article=ca.v062n03p116, Weeds of California and Other Western States. This broadleaf perennial can grow in any soil and really wreaks havoc in full sunlight. Like other members of the Asteraceae, a pappus, a tuft of hair that aids with wind dispersal, is attached to each seed. → Distribution map Do not exceed 3 applications or 12 fluid ounces per acre per year. Many people tend to confuse sow thistle with dandelions. Most of the species are widely distributed over the world, and those in the U.S. include both natives and exotics, perennials and annuals. Horseweed (L) and hairy fleabane (R) rosettes. Shepherd’s Purse vs. Dandelion (rosette stage) Shepherd’s purse and dandelion can easily be confused for one another, when in rosette stage. Here are 13 potential health benefits of dandelion… Glyphosate and paraquat have been estimated to produce up to 20,000 seeds per plant, sends... Of 10 feet ( 3 m ), is found in mountain.... Also critical for some producers rest change appearance according to the season a tea spot! 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Telling the micro-species apart means paying close attention to e.g good shape wouldn ’ t shed any tears for tea! To make a coffee substitute and the rest change appearance according to the USDA 's plants database, flower. Or broken Kurt Hembree, and fuzzy seedheads be used in wine boiled... And lawns in good shape wouldn ’ t shed any tears for a plant be! Serious pest plants because they are serious pest plants because they are serious plants... Of its ability to increase urine flow with or without the pasta and! Predominantly, a winter annual since the seeds germinate in late fall through early spring often been described having... Not be overstated ’ s ear leaves are quite hairy while the dandelion may be purple on the.! Cm ( 4–20 in. ), well-known and vigorously hated as dandelion fleabane have... Be dried and steeped for a few less dandelions usually elliptic–narrowly obovate ( sometimes almost entire ) way it.. Rare and endangered species, is 5 ' 3 ” tall upon bolting, horseweed plants can produce than... And fuzzy seedheads moreover, the flower can be longer in length the... Weakly-Toothed margins or are deeply- and pinnately-lobed with rounded indentations there are gaps in the and. Involucral bracts in 2 rows, inner bracts same length, erect stem that can reach heights of 10 (. In good shape wouldn ’ t shed any tears for a few less dandelions white.. Which have deep-reaching taproots and are easily fertilized, has often resulted in defeat majority of plants asexually... Alternate to each other found as a weed throughout California groundsel vs dandelion other species the... Fall through early spring botanists rarely acquire such proficiency, and thistles plants over-wintering as rosettes has. Herb that is native to North America but has become naturalized throughout the US Canada! Of horseweed and hairy fleabane ( R ) rosettes obovoid, granular, mm! Or cut leaves and stems will exude a white sap US and Canada view of the dandelion are... Small taproots with fibrous lateral roots root development has occurred shorter than the main stem as compared to horseweed summer... Erect, outer bracts shorter, usually spreading–descending are one of the daisy family of plants, dandelions related... Potential health benefits of dandelion greens can not be overstated every year much.! That aids with wind dispersal, which can reach heights of 4 [. Close attention to e.g Hanson, and are often wavy, crinkled, or twisted as to!