Dandelion—Taraxacum officinale
A perennial member of the daisy family, dandelions can reduce the aesthetic quality of lawns and turf and can be a weed pest in gardens. Not everyone considers dandelions a weed, however—they can be considered attractive, they are edible to humans in a variety of ways, are high in nutritional value for humans and animals, and are important for insects, including bees and butterflies.
Leaves are deeply serrated and grow from the base of the plant atop a strong taproot which grows 6 to 18 inches long. The name dandelion comes from the shape of the leaves: den-delion=tooth of the lion.
Bright yellow flower heads, 1 to 2 inches across, consist of 100 to 300 ray flowers, and sit atop stalks 6 to 24 inches tall. Stalks and roots exude a milky substance when cut.
Seeds form in a parachute–like structure called a pappus. Seeds can be transported many miles by the wind.
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Identification and Control Information
- Integrated Pest Management for Home Gardeners and Landscape Professionals: Dandelions (PDF) —University of California
More Information
- Natural Organic Lawn Care for Ohio (PDF) —The Ohio State University Extension
- Guide to Controlling Weeds in Cool Season Turf (PDF) —Maryland Cooperative Extension Home & Garden
- Facts on Edible Wild Greens of Maine (PDF) —University of Maine Cooperative Extension
- Read Your "Weeds"–A Simple Guide to Creating a Healthy Lawn (PDF) —National Coation for Pesticide-Free Lawns
- Integrated Pest Management for Home Gardeners and Landscape Professionals: Weed Management in Landscapes (PDF) —University of California
- Weeds and Your Garden brochure (PDF) —New York State IPM Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension
- Weed Management in the Home Garden (PDF) —Iowa State University Extension
[Photos, left to right: Joseph M. DiTomaso, University of California - Davis, Bugwood.org; Dave Powell, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org; Joseph M. DiTomaso, University of California - Davis, Bugwood.org]