Photographs: Co. Cork

Dandelions Taraxacum officinale agg. Caisearbhán Family: Asteraceae Flowering time: March - October. Perennial. Native. Bright yellow flowers followed by distinctive seedheads - dandelion clocks. Plant has serrated leaves in a basal rosette. Contains a milky juice called latex. Strong deep-rooting tap root. Height: 10-60cm. Leaf shape can be very variable and there are many very similar micro species. Widespread and abundant except in very wet or shady places. The Irish dandelion, Taraxacum amarellum is found near turloughs in the Burren, Co. Clare.

Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, Caisearbhán