Taraxacum Weber

Currently under revision. At least 2 species native, c. 7 introduced Aust.; all states and territories except NT

*Taraxacum officinale Weber

Perennial herb with thick taproot. Leaves basal, linear-lanceolate, usually deeply pinnatifid but sometimes entire, up to 20 cm long. Heads solitary on leafless hollow peduncles up to 15 cm long. Involucre 10–15 mm diam.; bracts in several rows; the outer ones imbricate. Florets numerous, all ligulate; rays yellow, 1–2 cm long. Cypselas scarcely compressed, striate, with a beak c. 1 cm long. Pappus of numerous simple hairs 5–7 mm long. Widespread. Weed of cultivation, pastures and waste places. Introd. from Europe and Asia. Fl. most of the year. Dandelion