Dandelion Has Successfully Adapted to Grow in Suburban Environments

Abstract

Abstract Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale G.H. Weber ex Wiggers) is a perennial herbaceous plant, generally considered as a weed, often seen blooming in the temperate areas during early spring. The wind dispersed seeds of dandelion has been known to travel long distances. Our study demonstrates that the flower stalk elongate during seed head formation and grow vertically at 900, which may aid in seed dispersal to new locations. It is not fully understood whether suburban environment influence the physiology of dandelions. Dandelions growing in nature reserves or wastelands are significantly taller compared to those growing in lawns in the suburbs. In the lawns of the suburbs, the flower stalk of dandelion is shorter, with an angle of 300 or lower, and grows parallel to the lawn grass so that they can escape lawn mowing. In addition, the dandelion plants in the suburban lawns have shorter leaves and smaller flowers. Thus, the dandelion has adapted vegetative features for survival in the suburbs.