Dandelion

Images ©:
©Photo: (CC BY 2.5 AU) Russell Best via natureshare.org.au, Photo: (CC BY 2.5 AU) Bill Strong via natureshare.org.au, Photo: (CC BY 2.5 AU) Nadya Korinfsky via natureshare.org.au

Taraxacum officinale

Widespread variable weedy yellow daisy with many branched flower stems from a rostte of ground-hugging leaves. Round succulent stem supports a single gold-petalled flower. Unbranched taproot.

Details
Flora Type
Herbs
Distinctive Features

Very divided leaves with tips of the lobes pointing towards the base of the leaf. Distinctive round seedheads of silver tufted fruits that disperse in the wind and are referred to as clocks in childrens folklore. Stem has a bitter milky latex when snapped.
Biology

Perennial. Disturbed places, roadsides, occasional in undisturbed grasslands and grassy woodlands.
Native Status
Introduced
Flowering Time

Sep-Apr
Taxonomy
Phylum
Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants)
Class
Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants)
Order
Asterales
Family
Asteraceae
Genus
Taraxacum
Species
officinale

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Native to Europe and Asia. It was originally imported to America as a food crop. It was used by American Inidgenous people as a foodplant and for medicinal purposes.

Interesting Facts
Similar Species

There are native species in Vic and Tas.
Native Status
Introduced