Taraxacum californicum
California dandelion
Scott Eliason (via Wikimedia Commons) · CC0
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Taraxacum californicum (California dandelion) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by native status, restricted high-elevation habitat, and pale brown fruits.
California dandelion is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in the San Bernardino Mountains in moist meadows at elevations of 1,950 to 2,400 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces yellow flowers in heads with deeply toothed ray florets. Growing with leafy stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms a robust basal rosette. Its leaves are oblanceolate, 10 to 20 centimeters long, with widely winged petioles and deeply toothed margins occasionally showing shallow lobes near the base. The fruit is pale brown with a sharply roughened surface covering the distal two-thirds of the seed body.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished by native status, restricted high-elevation habitat, and pale brown fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist meadows
Elevation: 1950-2400 m
Bloom period
Taraxacum californicum blooms May-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
How to tell it apart
vs Munzothamnus: Munzothamnus is a woody shrub; Taraxacum is herbaceous with basal rosettes.; vs Hieracium: Hieracium has branched stems with multiple heads; Taraxacum has single heads on unbranched leafless stalks.; vs Malacothrix: Malacothrix pappus falls off easily; Taraxacum pappus stays firmly attached.; vs Agoseris: Agoseris outer bracts are about half as long as inner; Taraxacum outer bracts are much shorter.; vs Crepis: Crepis has leaves up the branched stem; Taraxacum leaves are all basal with leafless stems.
Frequently asked questions
Is Taraxacum californicum native to California?
Yes. Taraxacum californicum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Taraxacum californicum bloom?
Taraxacum californicum blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Taraxacum californicum belong to?
Taraxacum californicum is in the Asteraceae family, genus Taraxacum.
Is Taraxacum californicum rare or endangered?
Taraxacum californicum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Taraxacum californicum grow in?
Taraxacum californicum grows in Moist meadows.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.