A dandy, indeed

Taraxacum officinale, April 27, 2021

Taraxacum officinale, April 27, 2021

Common & scientific name
Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale

Family
Sunflower, Asteraceae

Location
Difficult Campground, 8,200’

Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact

Of Eurasian origin and now virtually everywhere, owing in part to the fact that their seeds remain viable for nine years or more, with a single plant producing more than 5,000 seeds a year. The good news: Dandelions are an important early spring food source for deer, elk, bear, and (maybe) moose?

T. officinale, seedhead, roadside, 10,500’ July 20, 2021

T. officinale, seedhead, roadside, 10,500’ July 20, 2021