Potato Dandelion, Potato Dwarfdandelion, Colonial Dwarf-dandelion - Krigia dandelion
|
Krigia dandelion - Potato Dandelion, Potato Dwarfdandelion, Colonial Dwarf-dandelion. Plants in the Krigia genus are also known as Dwarf Dandelion (or Dwarfdandelion) because of the obvious similarity of their flower to the common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinal.) There are 7 Krigia species, all native only to North America. Krigia dandelion grows in similar locations to Taraxacum officinal - woodlands, roadsides, lawns, disturbed areas, and waste areas, forming stoloniferous colonies. These photos are from a yard that I have selectively mowed, avoiding mowing native wildflowers until they have gone to seed.
Found in:
AL, AR, DC, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, NJ, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA
Leave comments on Krigia dandelion at this link. | 
Distribution of Krigia dandelion in the United States and Canada:
Map courtesy of The Biota of North America Program.
Map color key
Search Our Database: Enter any portion of the Scientific, Common Name, or both.
Do a general Google search of the entire site:
#ad
 Follow USWildflowers on Twitter
#ad
| | Site: Walker County, GA Date: 2014-April-22 | Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson
Nikon D7000
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro | | The flower of Potato Dandelion is up to 2 inches across. It is yellow or orangish-yellow, and has many ligulate (strap-like) ray florets with no disk florets. | | 
| | Site: Walker County, GA Date: 2014-April-22 | Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000 | | The flower is held singly on usually smooth, leafless, bractless scape that may be up to 18 inches tall. There may be some small glands on the scape, especially at the base of the flower. | | Click on the photo for a larger image
| | Site: Walker County, GA Date: 2014-April-21 | Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000 | | | | Click on the photo for a larger image
| | Site: Walker County, GA Date: 2014-April-21 | Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000 | | The leaves of Krigia dandelion are all basal. They are usually smooth (occasionally "sparingly villous") and may be entire, slightly toothed (as obvious here), or pinnately lobed - I believe that leave at the very bottom shows some lobes. If petioled, the petioles are usually winged. | | Click on the photo for a larger image
| | Site: Walker County, GA Date: 2014-May-08 | Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro | | The pappi of Krigia dandelion have a somewhat tannish hue, giving them a more "dirty" look than you see in the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale.) | | Click on the photo for a larger image
| | Site: Walker County, GA Date: 2014-May-08 | Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro | | The cypsela of Krigia dandelion is a reddish-brown color and has 10 to 15 ribs. | | Click on the photo for a larger image
| | Site: Walker County, GA Date: 2014-April-23 | Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro | | Krigia dandelion gets its "Potato Dandelion" moniker due to the edible tubers formed along the stolons. The tuber in this example is about .5" in diameter. New plants also grow from the stolon. Note that Flora of North America calls these rhizomes while Weakley calls them stolons. Frankly, I don't know the difference between a stolon and a horizontal rhizome. | | Click on the photo for a larger image
|
References used for identification and information:
|
|
| |
| #ad
|
|
