Common Dandelion🌼
Taraxacum officinale
セイヨウタンポポ
A perennial herb that blooms yellow flowers from spring to early summer. One of the most commonly seen plants along roadsides and in parks. Originally from Europe, this introduced species can be distinguished from native Japanese dandelions by its reflexed (recurved) outer involucral bracts.
Identification Points
- ✓Outer involucral bracts are reflexed (native dandelions have erect bracts)
- ✓Leaves form a basal rosette and are deeply lobed
- ✓Flowers are bright yellow; seeds form a spherical pappus that disperses in the wind
Habitat
Roadsides, parks, grasslands, fields
Season
March to October (flowers)
3D Specimen Model
Kyushu University, Shikano Lab (CC0)
View on Sketchfab→Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf type
Simple
Venation
Pinnate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf shape
Ovate
Growth form
Herb
Petal count
5 petals
Petal fusion
Fused
Flower color
Yellow
Habitat
Roadside
Ovary position
Inferior
Stamen count
1-2
Phylogenetic Positionキク科 →
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Eudicots > Core eudicots > Asterales > Asteraceae
Divergence Era
Late Cretaceous to Paleogene (approx. 80–70 million years ago)
Evolution Notes
Asteraceae is one of the largest families of flowering plants. The capitulum (head-like inflorescence) enhanced pollination efficiency.
View on evolution timeline →Sources & References
AI-generated, needs verification