WILDFLOWERS OF NEW MEXICO

Not all Dandelions are foreign invaders. With dark anther tubes, this native is distinctively different from the widespread European species (Taraxacum officinale). Note the dark anther tubes, small, matted hairs that cover the 6–18-inch tall stems, and the deeply lobed or toothed basal leaves. The sap is milky.

FLOWERS: March–June. Flower heads 3/4–1 1/4-inches wide (20–31 mm), numerous yellow, petal-like ray florets have notched tips that surround prominent dark anthers in the center; flowers are open only in the morning.

LEAVES: Basal, alternate on stem. Basal leaves 3–8 inches long (7.5–20 cm), deeply lobed to toothed. Stem leaves smaller with 3–5 lobes.

HABITAT: Sandy, clay, loamy soils of stream sides, roadsides, disturbed areas; prairies, riparian woodlands.

ELEVATION: 4,000–7,400 feet.

RANGE: AR, AZ, LA, NM, OK, TX.

SIMILAR SPECIES: Fendler’s Desert Dandelion, Malacothrix fendleri, in much the same range, doesn’t have dark anther tubes in the center. The European dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, throughout NM, has lobed leaves but not dark anther tubes.

NM COUNTIES: In eastern and western counties in mid-elevation habitats: Bernalillo, Chaves, Cibola, De Baca, Dona Ana, Eddy, Grant, Guadalupe, Lincoln, Los Alamos, Mora, Rio Arriba, San Juan, San Miguel, Sandoval, Sierra, Socorro, Valencia.