Taraxacum platyglossum

Taraxacum platyglossum (Asteraceae) is a perennial rosette herb belonging to the European apomictic dandelion microspecies complex within Taraxacum sect. Ruderalia, the aggregate widely treated under the broad species T. officinale s.l. It forms a basal rosette of pinnatifid to runcinate leaves with broad, flat-tipped lateral lobes — the epithet 'platyglossum' refers to the broad, flat ligules of the ray florets. From the rosette one to several hollow leafless scapes 5–25 cm tall each carry a single solitary capitulum 3–4 cm across composed entirely of bright yellow ligulate florets. The achenes are spinulose, distinctly beaked and crowned by a white parachute-like pappus of simple bristles that allow widespread wind dispersal. The plant carries the typical milky white latex of the genus and grows in meadows, lawns, pasture and disturbed grassland across temperate Europe.