| Weed |
Dandelion |
| Scientific
Name |
Taraxacum
officinale |
| Family |
Aster
family (Asteraceae, formerly Compositae) |
| Life
Cycle |
Cool
season perennial |
| Reproduction
Method |
Reproduces
by seed and root pieces |
| Appearance |
Dandelions
emerge above a long, sturdy tap root to form basal rosettes of narrow, deeply
lobed leaves. |
| Leaves |
These
leaves are 2 to 10 inches long and up to 2 1/2 inches wide. They have jagged
lobes that point back towards the stem. |
| Flowers |
Dandelion
inflorescences are yellow, up to 2 inches in diameter, and appear to be
solitary. They are borne on hollow stems that can grow up to 20 inches long,
and held above the foliage. The inflorescences ripen to become round "puffballs"
of wind-dispersed seeds. Flowering period is from early spring to late fall.
|
| Occurrence |
Dandelions
occur in most lawns throughout the growing season, especially thin turf
areas. |
| Non
Chemical Control |
To
control dandelions without chemicals, maintain turf density and health using
proper culture; mow often to remove seed heads before seed maturation, and
mechanically pull removing as much root as possible. |
| Chemical
Control |
 |
 |
| Application
Period |
Apply
postemergence herbicides during periods of active growth in mid spring to
early summer and/or mid to late autumn; preemergence herbicides should be
applied before seed germination. |
| Active
Ingredient in Labeled Products |
Preemergent
|
Postemergent
|
|
|
- 2,4-D
- 2,4-DP
- bentazon
- chlorsulfuron*
- clopyralid
- dicamba
- MCPA
- MCPP
- quinclorac
- triclopyr
*not on tall fescue or ryegrass turf |
|
| Notes |
|
(Click
on Image to Enlarge and Sharpen Photograph)
|
Dandelion
cotyledon
|
Dandelion
vegetative
|
Dandelion
mature plant
|
|
|
|
|
Dandelion
in turf
|
Dandelion
seedhead
|
Dandelion
emerging in turf
|
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| Confused??
Look-a-Likes |
|
