Taraxacum ceratophorum
Horned dandelion
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.1
Taraxacum ceratophorum (Horned dandelion) is a native California perennial in the Asteraceae family, recognized by extreme high elevation and horned bracts.
Horned dandelion is a rare (CNPS 2B.1) native perennial found in the White and Inyo Mountains in moist alpine meadows at elevations of 2,900 to 3,100 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces yellow flowers with distinctive horned phyllaries that extend outward like small, pointed appendages. Growing with multiple oblanceolate leaves up to 10 in number, the plant forms a low-growing cluster with sessile or widely winged leaf bases. Its leaves are approximately toothed or lobed, creating a delicate, serrated appearance. The fruit develops in straw-colored to olive-brown tones, with a sharply textured surface in its upper third.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 0 sympatric species - geographically isolated; distinguished by extreme high elevation and horned bracts
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist alpine meadows
Elevation: 2900-3100 m
Outside California: to Alaska, northern Canada, Wyoming, New Mexico, Eurasia
Bloom period
Taraxacum ceratophorum blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.1
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 ceratophorum native to California?
Yes. Taraxacum ceratophorum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Taraxacum ceratophorum bloom?
Taraxacum ceratophorum blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Taraxacum ceratophorum belong to?
Taraxacum ceratophorum is in the Asteraceae family, genus Taraxacum.
Is Taraxacum ceratophorum rare or endangered?
Taraxacum ceratophorum carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Taraxacum ceratophorum grow in?
Taraxacum ceratophorum grows in Moist alpine 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 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.