Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Other common names
blowball
dandelion
faceclock
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Introduced
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
15 inches
Riparian
Yes
Perennial weed with deep taproot and milky stem juice.
Leaves divided into lobes that almost reach the midrib (pinnatifid), arranged in a basal rosette; flower heads solitary consisting of only yellow 5-toothed ray flowers; achenes greenish or brownish; outer phyllaries (bracts) bent downward.
Habitat
Lawns and roadsides, damp low places, waste grounds, disturbed banks and shores.
Plant Community
Riparian
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
2500
High elevation
9000
Flower Characteristics
Golden yellow flower head, strap-like ray flowers toothed at the tips; flower head to 1-1/2 inches wide. Solitary, on hollow stalk. Depending on elevation can bloom all year.
Flower color
Yellow
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
January
Last bloom month
December
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Lance-shaped, deeply cut into triangular-shaped sections; to 10 inches long in basal rosettes.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Dark green
Leaf shape
Triangular
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Achenes <1/4 inch long, pale gray or olive-brown, rough to the touch above the middle.
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Pale gray or olive brown