Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale Weber in Wiggers
Life cycle
Rosette-forming simple perennial.
Dandelion plant.
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.
Dandelion seedling.
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.
Yellow flower head of dandelion. Mature dandelion seed head.
Reproduction
Seeds and new shoots from a taproot.
Print a PDF of this page: Dandelion
Back to identifying Christmas tree weeds.
The MSU IPM Program maintains this site as an access point to pest management information at MSU. The IPM Program is administered within the Department of Entomology, fueled by research from the AgBioResearch, delivered to citizens through MSU Extension, and proud to be a part of Project GREEEN.