Often mistaken for the common dandelion, but red-seed dandelion has reddish stems and leaf blades that are more deeply dissected than other dandelion species.
Tap-rooted perennials; leaves in basal rosettes; highly dissected; 1-to-several unbranched, hollow flower stalks; stalks bear single head of bright yellow ray flowers; 1 to 2 inches; small, dry 1-seeded fruit.
Habitat
Found in disturbed areas, roadsides, and lawns.
Flower Characteristics
Flower heads solitary, 1 to 2 inches across, ray flowers only; flower stalks hollow, spread outward from center of plant; receptacle (base of flower heads) with narrow, lance-like bracts that are glossy and reddish tipped.
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Short, slightly winged stems; leaves basal, in rosettes, to 10 inches long and to 1-3/4 inches wide, deeply dissected into triangular lobes, taper toward stem, sometimes bend backward at tips, margins of lobes toothed to smooth.
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
To 1/8 inch long, smooth below, with rough, sharp points at tips, fusiform (tapering at both ends) to oval, 4 to 5 ribbed, tips with many soft, pale pappus (appendages), white to tawny that are 1/4 inch long.