Dandelion – Taraxacum officinale
Print
EmailTaraxacum officinale Weber in Wiggers
Asteraceae (Aster family)
MI Status
Non-native
Life cycle
Rosette-forming simple perennial.
Leaves
All leaves originate from a basal rosette. Leaves are oblong to spatula-shaped, ranging from 2 to 10 inches long with deep, backward-pointing lobes. Leaves remain green year round and exude a milky sap when damaged.
Stems
Vegetative stems are not visible aboveground. Forms a deep, thick taproot.
Flowers and fruit
Bright yellow, solitary flower heads consisting of only ray flowers are 1 to 2 inches wide and found at the ends of unbranched, hollow, leafless flowering stalks. The seed is enclosed in a single-seeded, wind-disseminated fruit that forms in a globe-shaped collection.
Reproduction
Seeds and new shoots from a taproot.
Other Documents in this Series
You Might Also Be Interested In
-
Key Wildlife Pests of Fruit and How to Promote and Protect Pollinators in Fruit Systems
Published on March 24, 2022
-
Bulletins Live! Two Tracker Report available now
Published on November 30, 2025
-
Southwest Michigan fruit update – July 8, 2025
Published on July 9, 2025
-
Southwest Michigan fruit update – June 24, 2025
Published on June 27, 2025
-
Southwest Michigan fruit update – June 3 2025
Published on June 4, 2025
-
Weed management in fruit trees starts with fall herbicide application
Published on October 23, 2024
Accessibility Questions:
For questions about accessibility and/or if you need additional accommodations for a specific document, please send an email to ANR Communications & Marketing at anrcommunications@anr.msu.edu.