NAME: Taraxacum officinale G. Weber ex F. Wiggers

PLANT FAMILY: Asteraceae

COMMON NAME: dandelion

APERTURATION: Tricolporate (or lophate)

ORNAMENTATION: Echinate

POLLINATION SYNDROME: Entomophilous

SIZE:

SHAPE: Spheroidal

FLOWERING DATE: November - April in Texas

NOTES: Dandelion pollen is typical of the Asteraceae, tribe Cichorieae. This group of pollen types is often lumped into a category named liguliflorae. Other Asteraceae genera with this pollen type include: Lygodesmia, Tragopogon, Cichorium, Krigia, Lactuca, and Sonchus.

In Texas, dandelions flower in winter and early spring. Its bright yellow flowers are common in lawns, roadsides and other disturbed places. Dandelion pollen has been found in honey, on corn earworm adults, and in boll weevils.