Taraxacum erythrospermum

Taraxacum erythrospermum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Genus:	Taraxacum
Species:	T. erythrospermum
Binomial name
Taraxacum erythrospermum Andrz. ex Besser

Taraxacum erythrospermum, known by the common name red-seeded dandelion, is a species of dandelion found in much of North America, but most commonly in the north.^[1]

It is often considered as a varietas or variety of Taraxacum laevigatum (i.e. Taraxacum laevigatum var. erythrospermum).^[2]

Description

This species is very similar and often overlooked as the traditional dandelion, Taraxacum officinale. It most readily differs by its reddish-brown seed bases, unlike the more olive colored seeds of officinale. T. erythrospermum can also be diagnosed by its leaves, which have consistently triangular lobes throughout. In comparison officinale tends to have erratic lobing with minimal or no triangular form. The leaves of erythrospermum thus bear a closer resemblance to the basal leaves of sow thistles (Sonchus oleraceus).

References