Binomial Name: (Taraxacum officinale)
The dandelion is an angiosperm and a perennial herb of the "Taraxacum" genus in the family "Asteraceae” also called “Compositae”. The Dandelion is well known for its bright yellow flowers that convert into rounded balls with silver heads near maturity. It is a common species in temperate regions especially in lawns and places of the least human interference with plenty of moisture. However, it grows successfully 11000 feet above sea level. Dandelion is considered a beneficial herb, and its roots, flowers, and leaves were utilized in making medicine.
Origin and Distribution
The Dandelion is native to Asian regions bordering Europe, Europe itself, and North America. It was introduced as a wild herb from Europe into North America, and now it grows but the two most commonplace species worldwide. The Dandelion was introduced into North America from Europe, and now it's a wildflower that grows throughout the US in ornamental lawns, garden beds, and orchards. It grows more frequently on sandy and loamy soils having medium to high fertility having sufficient moisture. The Dandelion is also a good nectar source for honeybees, While the birds utilize both seeds and leaves.
Identifying Dandelion
Dandelion grows very close to the soil surface, and the first true leaves grow directly from the top of the root. Primary leaves form a rosette. In general, the leaves measure between 2 to 10 inches. Leaves are simple But, lobed. The flower heads may be yellow or orange, which keep them open in the day, but closed at night. The stem is hollow and leafless that excrete white & milky gum when ruptured. There may be several flowering stems that arise from the rosette. The flower heads measure about 2 inches in diameter with ray florets. Dandelion contains several flower heads that are clustered together in a ray shape. Seed is contained in a feathery structure called “Pappus” that is carried by the wind and birds.
Lifecycle and Propagation
The bracts surround a flower head in two rows. The inner bracts turn downwards to release a mature seed. Further dispersal may be triggered by the wind or birds. Dandelion usually drops hairy parachutes from the plants, and its beak breaks due to wind pressure that releases the seed into the air. Dandelion uses apomixes for fertilization which is an asexual method of reproduction that gives rise to offspring that exactly match their parents. Asexual reproduction through seeds is a complex phenomenon. However, a seed germinates upon receiving favorable conditions.
Fun Facts About Dandelion
Dandelion-Prevention and Control
Cultural Control
Pulling the entire plant when the soil is fully moistened and soft can prevent its growth in the coming years. The gardeners can also cut the plants from the base if the infestation is limited. For garden beds, a 3 inches' layer of organic mulch in the form of wood chips, dried grasses, and shredded bark could stop light from reaching the Dandelion leaves. Finally, if the plant grows to a considerable height, cut off the flowers when they are still in yellow. Mowing the turfgrasses twice a year can also prove beneficial.
Chemical Control
Control using Pre-Emergent Herbicide
Miracle-Gro Garden Weed Preventer 1
It's exceptionally great chemistry that prevents Dandelion along with other broad and narrow leaf weeds from sprouting from the seeds. It contains 1.47% of Trifluralin that can be freely used in garden beds containing vegetables, orchards, roses, and ornamentals for stopping weed germination for up to 3 months. Kindly check the label for the list of vegetables and edibles where it is applicable. It also does well on turfgrasses to stop Dandelion sprouting from the seed.
- Garden weed preventer
- Stop weeds before they start
- Prevents weeds up to 3 months
The product is easy to spread in granular form, and the gardeners can apply 5 pounds pack over an area of up to 800 square feet.
Control using Post-Emergent Herbicides
Triad QC Select
Triad QC Select is a specialty product for controlling broadleaf weeds and dandelions when they show little resistance against other herbicides. Its formulation contains Quinclorac, Dicamba, and 2,4-D which, interfere with plant hormones to kill them. All three ingredients are present in a ratio of 9.79,1.67, and 13.29%, respectively. It performs excellent when sprayed in spring if, pre-emergent herbicide was not applied to a Dandelion growing area. The ingredients absorption is both through leaves and roots.
- 3 ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: Combines 3 active ingredients (2,4-D, Dicamba, Quinclorac) to help eliminate hard to control weeds
- USE SITES: residential and non-residential lawns and turf, athletic fields, roadsides, parks, golf turf (except tees, greens and collars)
- POST-EMERGENT: Perfect late season clean up product for areas that didn’t receive pre-emergent herbicide application in the spring
The usual application rate is 1-ounce concentrate in 1-2 gallons of water for up to 1000 square feet. For spot treatment of Dandelion, the gardeners may add up to 3 ounces of the product in 1 gallon of water to spray on them.
Turf Builder Triple Action
This product contains Pendimethalin, 2,4-D, and MCPP-p in very small quantities since it's ready to use formula. It also contains Nitrogen (16%) but, the product label doesn't mention it anywhere. The best results are possible when Dandelion and other broadleaf weeds at least 4-5 leaf stage or contain enough foliage that could continue photosynthesis in plants. Already growing weeds stop taking feed, and seeds present in the soil wouldn't germinate. Additionally, Nitrogen could strengthen and boost vegetative growth in turfgrass. The result is weed killing, seed suppression, and feeding the foliage all together. Its application would need heavy watering soon after the product is spread on turfgrasses.
- Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action is a 3-in-1 formula that kills listed weeds, prevents crabgrass, and feeds to build thick, green lawns
- Built-in lawn weed killer controls existing dandelion, clover, dollarweed, ground ivy, chickweed, plantain, henbit, and english daisy
- Prevents crabgrass for 4 months (will not kill existing crabgrass), while also preventing barnyardgrass, fall panicum, foxtail, and annual bluegrass
The product is already in the ready-to-use formulation and can cover about 4000 square feet area of turfgrasses.
Natria-Lawn Disease & Weed Control
Natria only contains 26.52% of Iron HEDTA and is also technically written as FeHEDTA. Which is Iron chelated with Tricarboxylic acid and Amine. The active ingredient Iron HEDTA is an odorless and deep red compound which not only kills weeds on contact but clears moss and algae from the surfaces applied. It is recently accepted by Bio-Pesticide Registration and declared safe for the humans and environment. Be sure that surface temperature remains below 50 when applied over turfgrasses.
- LAWN WEED KILLER: KIlls listed weeds including Dandelion, Common Chickweed, Clover, and more down to the root
- DISEASE CONTROL: Fungicide controls Rust, Dollar Spot, Lichens, and more
- MOSS KILLER: Also kills moss, algae, and lichens in turf
it will not only burn Dandelion but will provide nourishment to turfgrasses. Water your lawn heavily one day before Natria's application. Repeat heavy watering once 4-5 days are over.
Learn How to control and get rid of other weeds in our complete Yard Weeding Guide.