Dandelion
(Taraxacum officinale)
Brief Natural History Information
- Description: Perennial herbaceous plant that produces hollow, purplish flower stalks between 2 and 18 inches in height. Leaves are arranged in a flat rosette (wheeled arrangement around a center stalk) close to the ground.
- Flowers: Single bright yellow, composite flower head ranging between ¾ to 1½ inches in diameter, which blossoms throughout the spring and summer. Blooms are sensitive to weather conditions, closing up daily between 5pm and 7am and in heavy rain.
- Habitat: Inhabits a wide range of habitat that are typically associated with humans such as lawns, pastures, fields, and roadsides.
- Range: Found throughout the United States, and much of Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. The plant originally came from Europe and Asia.
Jeepers Peepers Activity
Starting February 27, each day inquire of your students if any of them has spotted a dandelion in flower. Record the date, and submit the date of the first sighting to DEP.
