- Name
- Dandelion
- Common Names
- Lion’s Tooth
- Scientific Name
- Taraxacum officinale
- Family
- Asteraceae (Aster Family)
- Description
- Broadleaf perennial weed, fast-spreading, generally spread by seed. Dandelions provide nectar and pollen to honey bees and other pollinators, which is particularly important in early spring when they are one of the only plants in bloom.
- Leaves
- Basal, 2-16” long deeply and irregularly toothed and lobed.
- Flowers
- Heads of bright yellow ray (ligulate) florets, ray flower toothed tips; solitary; closing at night, form 'puffball' when mature.
- Bloom Time
- February to October
- Pollen Source
- excellent
- Nectar Source
- good
- Pollen Color
- red-yellow/orange
- Native to NC
- Yes
