Taraxacum erythrospermum
| Taraxacum erythrospermum | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Tribe: | Cichorieae |
| Genus: | Taraxacum |
| Species: | T. erythrospermum |
| Binomial name | |
| Taraxacum erythrospermum Andrz. ex Besser | |
Taraxacum erythrospermum, known by the common name red-seeded dandelion, is a species of dandelion found in much of North America, but most commonly in the north.[1]
It is often considered as a varietas or variety of Taraxacum laevigatum (i.e. Taraxacum laevigatum var. erythrospermum).[2]
Description
This species is very similar and often overlooked as the traditional dandelion, Taraxacum officinale. It most readily differs by its reddish-brown seed bases, unlike the more olive colored seeds of officinale. T. erythrospermum can also be diagnosed by its leaves, which have consistently triangular lobes throughout. In comparison officinale tends to have erratic lobing with minimal or no triangular form. The leaves of erythrospermum thus bear a closer resemblance to the basal leaves of sow thistles (Sonchus oleraceus).
References
- ↑ "Red-seeded Dandelion". Retrieved 2009-09-12.
- ↑ Flora of North America