Carolina false-dandelion

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Carolina false-dandelion bracts

Carolina false-dandelion

Carolina false-dandelion leaf

Carolina false-dandelion bracts

Carolina false-dandelion

Carolina false-dandelion leaf

Carolina false-dandelion leaves

Carolina false-dandelion achenes

Carolina false-dandelion flower

Carolina false-dandelion flower

Morphology

Stem

Ascending to erect, usually branched from base or above, glabrous below, finely pubescent above.

Leaves

Basal and cauline, alternate, basal usually withering early; petiole present or absent; blade lanceolate to linear, 2.4 to 10 inches long, .4 to 3.6 inches wide, base tapered to clasping, margins entire, dentate to serrate, or pinnately lobed, tip acute, surfaces usually glabrous; uppermost leaves reduced.

Inflorescence

Heads 1-5, terminal; calyculate bractlets 3-16, subulate to filiform, 2/3 to 1 inch; involucres cylindric to campanulate, 3/5 to 1 inch; phyllaries 16-21, linear.

Flower

Florets 50-150, all ligulate and fertile; corolla yellow, 3/5 to 4/5 inch.

Fruit

Achenes reddish-brown, fusiform, 1/6 to 1/4 inch, terete in cross section, 5-ribbed, minutely roughened; beak 1/3 to 2/5 inch; pappus of white or grayish white barbellate bristles 1/3 to 1/2 inch, bristles subtended by a tuft of curly hairs.

Ecology

Habitat

Tallgrass prairies, flood plains, shores of ponds and lakes, roadsides, and disturbed sites

Distribution

East 1/2 of Kansas

Practical Information

Uses

The Kiowa used the roots for food.