Dandelion

From Turf Wiki

• Scientific Name: Taraxacum officinale (L.) Weber ex F.H.Wigg.

• Common Names: Dandelion (English), Ackerzichorie (German), Bog dandelion, Cankerwort, Chiang Nou Ts'Ao, Chin Tsan Ts'Ao, Dent de lion (French), Dente di leone (Italian), Gewone paardebloem (Dutch), Hindiba Berri, Huang Hua Ti Ting, Kara Hindiba, Khas Berri, Kou Ju Ts'Ao, Lion’s-tooth (English), Little marsh dandelion, Maitiainen, Mniszek pospolity (Polish), P'O Kung Ying, P'U Kung Ying, Pissenlit, Priest's Crown, Pu Gong Ying, Seiyo tanpopo (Japanese), Swine's Snout, Tarassaco, Taraxaco (Portugese), Witch's gowan, Yellow gowan

• Climatic Zone: Temperate, Subtropical

• Geographic Distribution: North America, Africa, Europe, East Asia, Australia, South America

• Life Cycle: Perennial

• Photosynthetic Apparatus: C3

• Major Identifying Characteristic: Deep, fleshy, thick taproot. Crown-type as a basal rosette. Deeply notched to almost smooth leaves. Notches on leaf point toward base. Milky juice from leaves. Yellow ray flowers borne on long, hairy, hollow stalk with milky juice.

Control Strategies

• Cultural Control: Physically remove plants with an appropriate digging tool that is designed to remove the taproot. Maintain stand density of the turfgrass to discourage seedling development.

• Chemical Control: Postemergence herbicides work best when applied in the fall. Springtime applications often result in suppression, but not complete control.