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Red-seeded Dandelion

Taraxacum laevigatum erythrospermum

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
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Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Asterales
Family:
Asteraceae (Daisy)
Also in this family:
Alpine Blue Sow-thistle, Alpine Cotula, Alpine Fleabane, Alpine Saw-wort, Annual Ragweed, Annual Sunflower, Argentine Fleabane, Autumn Hawkbit, Autumn Oxeye, Beaked Hawksbeard, Beggarticks, Bilbao Fleabane, Black Knapweed, Black-eyed Susan, Blanketflower, Blue Fleabane, Blue Globe-thistle, Bristly Oxtongue, Broad-leaved Cudweed, Broad-leaved Ragwort, Brown Knapweed, Butterbur, Buttonweed, Cabbage Thistle, Canadian Fleabane, Canadian Goldenrod, Carline Thistle, Chalk Knapweed, Chamois Ragwort, Changing Michaelmas Daisy, Chicory, Chinese Mugwort, Chinese Ragwort, Coltsfoot, Common Blue Sow-thistle, Common Cat's-ear, Common Cudweed, Common Daisy, Common Dandelion, Common Fleabane, Common Goldenrod, Common Groundsel, Common Michaelmas Daisy, Common Mugwort, Common Ragwort, Common Wormwood, Coneflower, Confused Michaelmas Daisy, Corn Chamomile, Corn Marigold, Cornflower, Cotton Thistle, Cottonweed, Creeping Thistle, Daisy Bush, Dwarf Cudweed, Dwarf Thistle, Early Goldenrod, Eastern Groundsel, Eastern Leopardsbane, Elecampane, English Hawkweed, Fen Ragwort, Feverfew, Field Fleawort, Field Wormwood, Fox and Cubs, French Tarragon, Gallant Soldier, Garden Lettuce, Giant Butterbur, Glabrous-headed Hawkweed, Glandular Globe-thistle, Glaucous Michaelmas Daisy, Globe Artichoke, Globe-thistle, Goat's Beard, Golden Ragwort, Golden Samphire, Goldilocks Aster, Grass-leaved Goldenrod, Great Lettuce, Greater Burdock, Greater Knapweed, Grey-headed Hawkweed, Guernsey Fleabane, Hairless Blue Sow-thistle, Hairless Leptinella, Hairy Michaelmas Daisy, Harpur Crewe's Leopardsbane, Hawkweed Oxtongue, Heath Cudweed, Heath Groundsel, Hemp Agrimony, Highland Cudweed, Hoary Mugwort, Hoary Ragwort, Hybrid Knapweed, Intermediate Burdock, Irish Fleabane, Jersey Cudweed, Jerusalem Artichoke, Lance-leaved Hawkweed, Lavender-cotton, Leafless Hawksbeard, Least Lettuce, Leopardplant, Leopardsbane, Leptinella, Lesser Burdock, Lesser Hawkbit, Lesser Sunflower, London Bur-marigold, Magellan Ragwort, Marsh Cudweed, Marsh Hawksbeard, Marsh Ragwort, Marsh Sow-thistle, Marsh Thistle, Meadow Thistle, Melancholy Thistle, Mexican Fleabane, Milk Thistle, Mountain Everlasting, Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Musk Thistle, Narrow-leaved Cudweed, Narrow-leaved Hawkweed, Narrow-leaved Michaelmas Daisy, Narrow-leaved Ragwort, New England Hawkweed, New Zealand Holly, Nipplewort, Nodding Bur-marigold, Northern Hawksbeard, Norwegian Mugwort, Oxeye Daisy, Oxford Ragwort, Pearly Everlasting, Perennial Cornflower, Perennial Ragweed, Perennial Sow-thistle, Perennial Sunflower, Pineapple Mayweed, Plantain-leaved Leopardsbane, Ploughman's Spikenard, Plymouth Thistle, Pontic Blue Sow-thistle, Pot Marigold, Prickly Lettuce, Prickly Sow-thistle, Purple Coltsfoot, Rayed Tansy, Red Star Thistle, Red-tipped Cudweed, Robin's Plantain, Roman Chamomile, Rough Cocklebur, Rough Hawkbit, Rough Hawksbeard, Russian Lettuce, Safflower, Salsify, Saw-wort, Scented Mayweed, Scentless Mayweed, Sea Aster, Sea Mayweed, Sea Wormwood, Seaside Daisy, Shaggy Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Shaggy Soldier, Shasta Daisy, Shetland Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Shrub Ragwort, Sicilian Chamomile, Silver Ragwort, Slender Mugwort, Slender Thistle, Small Cudweed, Small Fleabane, Smooth Cat's-ear, Smooth Hawksbeard, Smooth Sow-thistle, Sneezeweed, Sneezewort, Spear Thistle, Spotted Cat's-ear, Spotted Hawkweed, Sticky Groundsel, Stinking Chamomile, Stinking Hawksbeard, Tall Fleabane, Tall Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Tansy, Thin-leaved Sunflower, Trifid Bur-marigold, Tuberous Thistle, Tyneside Leopardplant, Viper's Grass, Wall Lettuce, Welsh Groundsel, Welted Thistle, White Butterbur, White Buttons, Willdenow's Leopardsbane, Winter Heliotrope, Wood Burdock, Wood Ragwort, Woody Fleabane, Woolly Thistle, Yarrow, Yellow Chamomile, Yellow Fox and Cubs, Yellow Oxeye, Yellow Star Thistle, Yellow Thistle, York Groundsel
Type:
Flower
Life Cycle:
Perennial
Maximum Size:
20 centimetres tall
Habitats:
Fields, grassland, heathland, lawns, marshes, meadows, roadsides, rocky places, sand dunes, seaside, walls, wasteland.

Flower:
֍
Yellow, many petals
 
Solitary pale yellow flowers, about 1 inch (2.5cm) across. Flowerheads are composed entirely of ray florets. Flowers have between 150 and 200 ray florets. The flowers of Red-seeded Dandelion are smaller than those of Common Dandelion (Taraxacum officianale).
Fruit:
The fruit of Dandelions are known as achenes. It consists of a single oblong seed tipped by a feathery ring of hairs. The Red-seeded Dandelion can be easily distinguished from Common Dandelion in that it's seeds are reddish-brown and not beige-coloured.
Leaves:
All leaves are basal. They measure up to 10 inches (25cm) long and 1.5 inches (4cm wide). Deeply pinnate, backward-pointing, triangular but narrow leaf lobes. The lobes are pointed at the tips. Perennial. The Latin name for Red-seeded Dandelion is sometimes known as Taraxacum laevigatum and sometimes as Taraxacum erythrospermum. Erythrospermum is considered to be a variety of laevigatum. The Red-seeded Dandelion leaf lobes are more triangular in shape than those of Common Dandelion. Also worth noting is that the lobes are the tip are approximately the same size as the lobes at the base of the leaf, unlike those of Common Dandelion.
Other Names:
Lesser Dandelion, Red-Seed Dandelion, Rock Dandelion.
Frequency (UK):
Common  

Similar Species

Other Information

Summary

Taraxacum laevigatum erythrospermum is a species of dandelion that is native to Europe. It is a herbaceous perennial plant that is commonly found in grassland and other open habitats. The leaves of the plant are long and narrow, and the flowers are bright yellow and typically appear in the spring and summer. Dandelions are well-known for their medicinal properties and are often used in herbal remedies. The plant is also a popular food source for many types of insects and animals, and is an important part of the ecosystem in many areas.

Blog

Red-seeded Dandelions, also known as Taraxacum laevigatum erythrospermum, are a unique and striking variation of the common dandelion. They are known for their bright red seeds, which are a striking contrast to the white seeds of traditional dandelions.

One of the most interesting things about red-seeded dandelions is that they are a natural hybrid of two other dandelion species: T. laevigatum and T. erythrospermum. This means that they are not found in nature, but are instead the result of the crossbreeding of two different species.

Red-seeded dandelions are known for their hardiness and resilience, which makes them a great choice for gardens and lawns. They are able to withstand a wide range of weather conditions and are drought-tolerant, making them an ideal choice for dry or arid regions.

They also have a deep taproot, which allows them to take up nutrients and water from deep in the soil. This makes them a great choice for areas where soil is poor, as they can still thrive even when other plants struggle.

Red-seeded dandelions are also known for their medicinal properties. The leaves and roots of the plant have been used for centuries to treat a wide range of ailments, including liver and kidney problems, skin conditions, and digestive issues.

Despite their many benefits, red-seeded dandelions are often considered to be a weed by many gardeners and landscapers. They can be difficult to control and can quickly take over a lawn or garden if not properly managed.

If you are interested in growing red-seeded dandelions, it is important to be aware of their potential to become invasive. They should be planted in a designated area of the garden or lawn, and should be monitored closely to ensure that they do not spread to other areas.

Overall, red-seeded dandelions are a unique and striking variation of the common dandelion that can add color and interest to any garden or lawn. Despite their potential to become invasive, they are a hardy and resilient plant with many benefits that make them worth considering for any gardener or landscaper.

In addition to their striking red seeds and hardiness, red-seeded dandelions also have a number of other interesting characteristics. For example, they have a unique leaf structure that sets them apart from traditional dandelions. Their leaves are typically longer and more deeply lobed, which gives them a more feathery appearance.

The flowers of red-seeded dandelions are also unique in that they are typically larger and more showy than traditional dandelions. They are typically a bright yellow color, and they can be up to 4 inches wide. The flowers are also long-lasting, which makes them a great choice for cut flower arrangements.

Another interesting thing about red-seeded dandelions is that they are a great source of food for wildlife. The leaves, flowers, and seeds of the plant are all edible, and they are a favorite food of many species of birds and insects. This makes red-seeded dandelions a great choice for gardens and lawns that are designed to attract wildlife.

Despite their many benefits, it's important to remember that red-seeded dandelions can be invasive if not properly managed. They should be planted in a designated area of the garden or lawn, and should be monitored closely to ensure that they do not spread to other areas. Gardeners and landscapers can also take steps to control their spread, such as regular mowing, hand-pulling, or using an herbicide.

Another benefit of red-seeded dandelions is that they are a great source of pollen and nectar for pollinators such as bees and butterflies. They typically bloom in the spring and early summer, which makes them a valuable food source for pollinators during this critical time of the year. Additionally, the plant also serves as an important food source for ladybugs, lacewings, and other beneficial insects, which can help keep pests under control in the garden.

Red-seeded dandelions can also be used in a variety of culinary applications. The young leaves of the plant can be used in salads and sandwiches, while the roots can be roasted and used as a coffee substitute. The flowers of the plant can also be used to make dandelion wine or jelly.

One other aspect of red-seeded dandelions is that they are not only invasive but also poisonous to some animals, such as dogs and cats. If ingested, it can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and in some cases, even death. Therefore, it's important to be aware of this when planting red-seeded dandelions in areas where pets may roam.

In conclusion, red-seeded dandelions are an interesting and unique variation of the common dandelion that can add color and interest to any garden or lawn. They are hardy and resilient, with a deep taproot that allows them to thrive in poor soil conditions. They also have medicinal properties, attract wildlife, and are a great source of food for pollinators. However, it's important to remember to plant and monitor them carefully to prevent invasive spread and also to keep in mind that it can be poisonous to pets.