Common dandelion is a yellow-flowered plant introduced from Europe and now widespread in U.S. lawns and roadsides. Its seed heads form familiar white puffballs, and the seeds are carried away by the wind. Several similar dandelion species grow in U.S. lawns, so yellow flowers alone are not enough to identify it.

Appearance

Growth form
A plant that lives for years, with a flat circle of leaves hugging the ground and a .
Flowers
Each yellow head is made of many small strap-shaped on a leafless, hollow stalk.
Flowering time
In Minnesota, flowers appear from early spring into fall. Timing varies across the US.

Look-alikes

Red-seeded dandelionTaraxacum erythrospermum

Wait for seeds: this species has reddish seeds, while common dandelion seeds are greenish or brown. Flower heads are also often a little smaller.

Why they get mixed upBoth are yellow dandelions in American lawns.

Common catsearHypochaeris radicata

Catsear has branching flower stalks that can carry several heads. Common dandelion has one head on each unbranched, hollow stalk.

Why they get mixed upBoth have yellow, dandelion-like flower heads.

Where it lives

Typical habitats
  • Lawns
  • Roadsides
  • Disturbed ground
Range
This dandelion was introduced from Europe and is widespread in the United States. In Minnesota, it shares lawns with the similar red-seeded dandelion.
Preferred conditions
It grows in sunny lawns and disturbed soil, and also tolerates some shade. In Minnesota it blooms from early spring into fall.

Life cycle

Reproduction
This species can make seeds without pollination, so even one plant can start a new patch.
Seed dispersal
Each seed has a fluffy parachute that lets the wind carry it away.

Connected species

Ties with other wildlife
In spring, sharp-tailed grouse eat this plant; in Yellowstone, grizzly bears also eat it in summer.
Pollinators
Bees and other insects visit the flowers for pollen and nectar.
Pollinators
  • BeesAnthophila

    In Alaska, bees visit the flowers for nectar and pollen.

Name and classification

About the name
The name Taraxacum officinale often covers a group of very similar dandelions. Some botanists split that group into several species.

Conservation

IUCN Red List
NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed

Culture and stories

Culture and stories
  • Its leaves, flowers, and roots have been used as food, including greens and roasted-root drinks.
  • In the US, it is widely treated as a lawn weed.
13 sources
  1. iNaturalist taxon 47602
  2. BRIS/국립수목원: 서양민들레
  3. NIES: セイヨウタンポポ
  4. University of Minnesota Extension: Dandelions
  5. University of Wisconsin Extension: Dandelion
  6. 環境省: 生態系被害防止外来種リスト 第2版 植物（2026年）
  7. NIES: 外来種全種リスト
  8. 국립생태원: 국화과 민들레속
  9. UC IPM: Common Catsear comparison with dandelion
  10. US Forest Service: Taraxacum officinale
  11. 국가생물종목록: Taraxacum 이름과 국내 분포 표기
  12. Wikipedia: Taraxacum officinale
  13. UC IPM: Dandelion
common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) — identification, habitat & look-alikes | Moeyo