Dandelion Information

Dandelion Seedling

Seedling development starts with germination of the seed. Common dandelion seedlings emerge in early springtime. The leaves of the dandelion, called Cotyledons, are oval or spoon shaped, hairless, about 3/16 inch (5 mm) long, and yellow-green in color. The stem below the seed leaves (hypocotyl) is smooth, light green to white in color, and is barely noticable. It does not elongate and seems to dissapear as the plant matures. The lower surface is slightly paler than the upper surface, and the margins are perfectly smooth.

The first true leaf to sprout is round to oval and about 3/8 inch (1 cm) long. Margins have a few very small teeth that point back toward the base of the leaf. The midvein is prominent on the lower surface. Later leaves are more elongated and soon assume the toothed margins and rosette arrangement typical of the mature plant.

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Dandelion Roots

Dandelion Leaves

For more information about the dandelion, check out the dandelion factoids section,
or explore some unique dandelion folklore, myths and legends.