Japanese name: セイヨウタンポポ（西洋蒲公英） Scientific name:Taraxacum officinale
[Overview]
A perennial 10–45 cm tall, found along roadsides and on vacant lots.
Milky sap exudes when the stems or leaves are damaged.
The leaves are simple and basal, lanceolate, 3–50 cm long and 0.5–8 cm wide, and pinnately divided.
A single yellow flower head 3.5–4.5 cm across is borne at the tip of a flower stalk rising erect from the leaf axils.
The florets that make up the flower head are all ligulate florets.
The involucre is green and is characterized by curving back outward.
It blooms most in March–May, but is seen flowering all year round.
The fruit is an achene with a pappus, and is dispersed by the wind.
[History]
It is said to have entered Hokkaido in the early Meiji period.
[Uses]
The young leaves and flowers are used in salads and other dishes.
The roots are roasted and used as a coffee substitute.
It is also used medicinally.
[Notes]
It is designated as an alien species requiring caution under the Invasive Alien Species Act.
It has also been selected as one of the "100 of the Worst Invasive Alien Species in Japan."
