Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK | |
Oklahoma Alfalfa |
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Dandelion |
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COMMON NAME: | Dandelion |
SCIENTIFIC NAME: | Taraxacum officinale Weber in Wiggers |
TYPE: | Simple Perennial, can grow year round |
DESCRIPTION | |
Germination: | September-June. |
Reproduction: | By seeds, April-October. |
Stems: | Stemless scapes, hollow, without hair to slightly pubescent, and they contain a milky juice. |
Leaves: | All basal with simple blades that are oblanceolate with various lobes. They are usually pubescent, contain a milky juice. |
Flowers/ Inflorescence: |
The flowers of the Dandelion are yellow, small, and ligulated. |
Fruit: | The fruit is a one-seeded achene that has a slightly flattened body with a beak The pappus is of white bristles. |
FOUND: |
The Dandelion is primarily found on rangeland, pastures, meadows, lawns, and waste places in all soil types. |
CONTROL: |
Not a weed problem in alfalfa in Oklahoma, so usually don't recommend controlling. January-February application of SINBAR or VELPAR will suppress dandelions in thinning stands. |
Jim Stritzke Former Alfalfa Weed Control Specialist Department of Plant and Soil Sciences Oklahoma State University |