Taraxacum californicum
Encyclopedia
Taraxacum californicum, also known as the California dandelion, is an endangered species
of dandelion endemic to the San Bernardino Mountains
of California
. It grows in mountain meadows.
Taraxacum californicum is a small perennial wildflower which resembles its close relative, the widespread weed known as the common dandelion
(T. officinale). T. californicum has green, red-veined, lobed, or toothed leaves and yellow flower heads
yielding brown and white fruits.
There are fewer than twenty occurrences known of the plant, and several occurrences include just a few individuals. The plant can hybridize with common dandelion, causing genetic pollution
.
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
of dandelion endemic to the San Bernardino Mountains
San Bernardino Mountains
The San Bernardino Mountains are a short transverse mountain range north and east of San Bernardino in Southern California in the United States. The mountains run for approximately 60 miles east-west on the southern edge of the Mojave Desert in southwestern San Bernardino County, north of the...
of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It grows in mountain meadows.
Taraxacum californicum is a small perennial wildflower which resembles its close relative, the widespread weed known as the common dandelion
Taraxacum officinale
Taraxacum officinale, the common dandelion , is a herbaceous perennial plant of the family Asteraceae . It can be found growing in temperate regions of the world, in lawns, on roadsides, on disturbed banks and shores of water ways, and other areas with moist soils. T...
(T. officinale). T. californicum has green, red-veined, lobed, or toothed leaves and yellow flower heads
Head (botany)
The capitulum is considered the most derived form of inflorescence. Flower heads found outside Asteraceae show lesser degrees of specialization....
yielding brown and white fruits.
There are fewer than twenty occurrences known of the plant, and several occurrences include just a few individuals. The plant can hybridize with common dandelion, causing genetic pollution
Genetic pollution
Genetic pollution is a controversial term for uncontrolled gene flow into wild populations. This gene flow is undesirable according to some environmentalists and conservationists, including groups such as Greenpeace, TRAFFIC, and GeneWatch UK.-Usage:...
.