''Taraxacum erythrospermum'', known by the common name red-seeded dandelion, is a species of

dandelion ''Taraxacum'' () is a large genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, which consists of species commonly known as dandelions. The scientific and hobby study of the genus is known as taraxacology. The genus is native to Eurasia and Nor ...

introduced to much of North America, but most commonly in the north. It is often considered as a

variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

of '' Taraxacum laevigatum'' (i.e., ''Taraxacum laevigatum'' var. ''erythrospermum'').Flora of North America
/ref> In many characteristics, it is similar to the common dandelion, ''

Taraxacum officinale ''Taraxacum officinale'', the dandelion or common dandelion, is a flowering herbaceous perennial plant of the dandelion genus in the family Asteraceae (syn. Compositae). The common dandelion is well known for its yellow flower heads that turn i ...

''.

Description

This species is very similar to, and often mistaken for, the common dandelion, ''

''. It most readily differs by its reddish-brown seed bases, unlike the more olive colored seeds of ''T. officinale''. The red-seeded dandelion can also be identified by its leaves, which have consistently triangular lobes throughout, whereas ''T. officinale'' tends to have erratic lobing with minimal or no triangular form. The leaves of ''T. erythrospermum'' thus bear a closer resemblance to the

basal leaves A leaf ( : leaves) is any of the principal appendages of a vascular plant stem, usually borne laterally aboveground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", while the leaves, st ...

of sow thistles (''

Sonchus oleraceus ''Sonchus oleraceus'' is a species of flowering plant in the tribe Cichorieae of the family Asteraceae, native to Europe and Western Asia. It has many common names including common sowthistle, sow thistle, smooth sow thistle, annual sow thistle, ...

'').

References

erythrospermum Flora of North America {{Cichorieae-stub