Taraxacum erythrospermum
Red-seeded dandelion
(c) Ryan Donnelly, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ryan Donnelly · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Perennial · Not Native
Taraxacum erythrospermum (Red-seeded dandelion) is a non-native California perennial in the Asteraceae family, recognized by distinguished primarily by red fruit color vs. other seed colors.
Red-seeded dandelion is a naturalized perennial found in the California Floristic Province and Great Basin in abundant, especially disturbed areas at elevations of 50 to 2,250 meters. Flowering all year, this plant produces yellow flowers in heads with numerous ray florets. Growing with hollow stems up to 40 centimeters tall, it forms a rosette of deeply lobed leaves. Its leaves are oblanceolate to obovate, typically 20 or more per plant, with sharply cut margins and recurved lobes that are often toothed. The distinctive fruit is red to reddish-brown, with a body that is sharply rough in its upper half.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished primarily by red fruit color vs. other seed colors
Habitat and range
Habitat: Abundant. Esp disturbed areas
Elevation: 50-2250 m
Outside California: native to Europe
Bloom period
Taraxacum erythrospermum blooms All year.
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 erythrospermum native to California?
No. Taraxacum erythrospermum is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Taraxacum erythrospermum bloom?
Taraxacum erythrospermum blooms All year.
What plant family does Taraxacum erythrospermum belong to?
Taraxacum erythrospermum is in the Asteraceae family, genus Taraxacum.
What habitat does Taraxacum erythrospermum grow in?
Taraxacum erythrospermum grows in Abundant. Esp disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.