Dandelion (8)

I have grouped together dandelion-like flowers. All have a single flower head per flower stem, many toothed ray flowers, no disk flowers and basal leaves. All produce a sphere of feathery seeds.

See also Salsify, Hawksbeard and Sowthistle

Common Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale

Family: Sunflower (Asteraceae)
AKA:
Photo taken on: May 8, 2004
Location: Almont, GV, CO
Life Zones: Everywhere
Habitat: Everywhere there is moisture

Grows to 18" with a milky, hollow stem and sharply toothed basal leaves. The most widespread of flowers blooming almost year-round. It is considered a weed but young leaves are edible and it has medicinal uses.

Flora of North America reference.

Horned Dandelion
Taraxacum ceratophorum

Family: Sunflower (Asteraceae)
AKA:
Photo taken on: July 11, 2018
Location: Lottis Creek, GV, CO
Life Zones: Plains to alpine
Habitat: Moist sandy and gravelly areas

Very similar in appearance to the Common Dandelion. It can grow to 20" and has a cobwebby stem when young. Leaves can be deeply toothed or smooth-edged. It has two rows of purple-tipped phyllaries which are erect compared to the downward pointing ones of the Common Dandelion. The cupped or horned tips distinguish this from other dandelions.

Flora of North America reference.

Tall False Dandelion
Agoseris glauca

Family: Sunflower (Asteraceae)
AKA: Pale Agoseris, Prairie Agoseris
Photo taken on: June 24, 2006
Location: Walrod Gulch, GV, CO
Life Zones: Foothills to subalpine
Habitat: Meadows and slopes

Grows to 2 feet high with upright, 12" long, lance-shaped, slightly lobed leaves. Flower heads are 1 ½" across with two rows of purple and green bracts.

Flora of North America reference.

False Agoseris
Agoseris parviflora

Family: Sunflower (Asteraceae)
AKA: Steppe Agoseris
Photo taken on: July 12. 2017
Location: Russell Lakes State Wildlife Area, SLV, CO
Life Zones: Plains, foothills and montane
Habitat: Sandy soils in meadows, woodlands

The flower is very similar to A. glauca above but it grows to only a foot tall with mostly lobed leaves that grow to 8" long. It is not found in higher altitudes.

Flora of North America reference.

Wavyleaf Dandelion
Nothocalais cuspidata

Family: Sunflower (Asteraceae)
AKA: False Dandelion, Prairie False Dandelion
Photo taken on: April 17, 2011
Location: Wet Mountains, Eastern CO
Life Zones: Plains to foothills
Habitat: Dry meadows and slopes

Grows to 10". Flower heads are 2" across, bright yellow with reddish backs. Phyllaries are long, green, purple and white. Basal leaves are 6" long, soft and hairy with wavy edges. An early bloomer.

Flora of North America reference.

Nodding Microseris
Microseris nutans

Family: Sunflower (Asteraceae)
AKA: Nodding Silverpuffs
Photo taken on: June 30, 2007
Location: Oh-be-Joyful, GV, CO
Life Zones: Foothills to subalpine
Habitat: Meadows and openings

Grows to 2 feet with a single flower on a leafless stem. Young flower buds nod and become erect upon opening. Leaves are basal and narrow.

Flora of North America reference.

Fendler's Desert Dandelion
Malacothrix fendleri

Family: Sunflower (Asteraceae)
AKA:
Photo taken on: May 19, 2009
Location: White Rock Canyon, NM
Life Zones: Plains and foothills
Habitat: Dry sandy, rocky areas

Grows to 6" with leaning, branched stems and lobed, mostly basal leaves. Flower heads are about 1" across. Bright yellow petals usually have a reddish purplish stripe underneath.

Flora of North America reference.

Sowthistle Desert Dandelion
Malacothrix sonchoides

Family: Sunflower (Asteraceae)
AKA: Yellow Saucers
Photo taken on: May 7, 2019
Location: CR 142, Abiquiu, NM
Life Zones: Plains and foothills
Habitat: Dry sandy, rocky areas

Grows to 14" with smooth, leaning, twisted, branched stems and short, fleshy, lobed leaves growing in a rosette. Lobes are minutely spine-tipped. Flower heads are about ½" across.

Flora of North America reference.