Taraxacum sp.
Dandelion, Dandelion
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Perennial · Variable; species dependent
Taraxacum sp. (Dandelion) is a non-native California perennial in the Asteraceae family.
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 sp. native to California?
No. Taraxacum sp. is not native to California (recorded as variable; species dependent).
What plant family does Taraxacum sp. belong to?
Taraxacum sp. is in the Asteraceae family, genus Taraxacum.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Taraxacum californicum — California dandelion
- Taraxacum ceratophorum — Horned dandelion
- Taraxacum erythrospermum — Red-seeded dandelion
- Taraxacum officinale — Common dandelion
- Tetradymia argyraea — Striped horsebrush
- Tetradymia axillaris — Catclaw horsebrush
- Tetradymia axillaris var. axillaris — Catclaw horsebrush
- Tetradymia axillaris var. longispina — Catclaw horsebrush
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.