Taraxacum officinale

Dandelion

Taraxacum officinale, Dandelion is a deep rooted perennial plant. It has a composite flower head cosisting of outer ray florets and inner disc florets. Plants of this type were formerly classified as Compositae, but now belong to the family Asteraceae. Dandelions are an important mass source of early pollen for many bee species. Seed disperal is by wind, with seeds attached to parachutes.

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Dandelions

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Taraxacum officinale, Dandelion, Andrena fulva

Solitary Bee

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Flower section

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Ray floret

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Ray floret

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Pollen

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Fruit

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Parachute

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Seed

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Photograph detail

Slide 1: Taraxacum officinale, Dandelion. Mass of plants on Village Green, Redmire. April.

Slide 2: Taraxacum officinale, Dandelion. Solitary Bee, Andrena fulva,male, collects pollen from Dandelion flower. Garden in Redmire. April.

Slide 3: Taraxacum officinale, Dandelion. Section of composite flower head. Collected from garden in Redmire. April.

Slide 4: Taraxacum officinale, Dandelion. Ray floret, showing stigma. Collected from garden in Redmire. April.

Slide 5: Taraxacum officinale, Dandelion. Disc floret, showing anther. Collected from garden in Redmire. April.

Slide 6: Taraxacum officinale, Dandelion. Pollen grains. Photographed at x400, brightfield illumination. Collected from garden in Redmire. April.

Slide 7: Taraxacum officinale, Dandelion. Fruit. Collected from garden in Redmire. April.

Slide 8: Taraxacum officinale, Dandelion. Seed with parachute. Collected from garden in Redmire. April.

Slide 9: Taraxacum officinale, Dandelion. Seed. Collected from garden in Redmire. April.