Weeds Identification Gallery

Dandelion

  • Taraxacum officinale
  • Sunflower Family: Asteraceae
Updated: 10/2025

Dandelion is a widely distributed perennial broadleaf weed found throughout California, except in deserts, to about 11000 feet  (3300 m). It consists of a complex of biotypes that vary with environmental conditions and is a common weed of mountain meadows and turf, especially in southern California. It also inhabits perennial crop fields, especially those in alfalfa, disturbed sites, and nurseries. It is a host of aster yellow disease, which affects a number of vegetable crops. Because dandelion contains high amounts of certain minerals, it serves as a complement to pasture forage for livestock. In addition to being weedy, the fine hairs of the one-seeded fruit can clog cultivation equipment.

Habitat

Perennial crop fields (especially alfalfa), orchards, vineyards, turf, nursery crops, pastures, and roadsides.

Seedling

Cotyledons (seed leaves) are oval, hairless, and have a midvein that terminates with a gland at the leaf tip. The first and next few leaves are football shaped to oblong, taper at the base, and have weakly toothed edges. Later leaves are widest near the tip with gradually tapering bases and sparsely-toothed edges. Young leaves form a basal rosette.

Seedling showing cotyledons with light green, round shape, and slightly toothed true leaves; . Credit: Jack Kelly Clark, UC IPM
Seedling. Credit: Jack Kelly Clark, UC IPM

Mature Plant

Dandelions have no visible stem. Leaves are sparsely hairy or hairless, with deeply serrated edges, and cluster into a rosette at the base of the plant. A strong, deep taproot exudes a milky substance when cut.

Mature plant showing lobed, pointed leaves, yellow flowers and fruit; . Credit: Jack Kelly Clark, UC IPM
Mature plant. Credit: Jack Kelly Clark, UC IPM

Flowers

Dandelions flower nearly year-round in mild climates. The bright yellow flower head is 4/5 to 1-2/5 inches (2–3.5 cm) across and is found singly on the tip of a hollow, leafless stalk that is 3 to 12 inches (7.5–30 cm) tall. The flower head consists of many, small, yellow, petal-like flowers (ray flowers).

Dandelions in turfgrass Credit: Larry L. Strand
Flowers. Credit: Larry L. Strand

Fruits

A tiny, brown, one-seeded fruit (achene) about 1/10 of an inch (3 mm) in length is attached to a long, slender stalk, terminating in a parachutelike structure (pappus) consisting of hairs. Collectively the fruit form a fuzzy, gray-white, spherical fruiting head.

Many stalks coming up from dense green plants low to the ground. At the end of each stalk is a white puff ball. Copyright information is at the bottom (Copyright 2007 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.). Credit: Joseph M. DiTomaso, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources
Fruiting plants. Credit: Joseph M. DiTomaso, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

Seed

Seeds are transported by wind.

seeds Credit: James A. O'Brien, University of California
Seeds. Credit: James A. O'Brien, University of California

Reproduction

Reproduces by seeds that can germinate almost year-round. Taproots can also send off new shoots.

More Information

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