Dandelion

I love to see the fields covered for as far as the eye can see in these golden yellow flowers. And of course, when they go to seed they also have there own beauty and fascination.

These bright yellow Dandelion heads are made up of around two-hundred rayed florets. The stems are hollow, and exude a milky white substance if broken. The leaves have backward facing toothed lobes. The fluffy rounded seed heads are famed when blown by mouth or the wind, forming a small cloud of individual parachuted seeds.

It flowers March to October, and form a swathe of radiant yellow during spring. Found in varied locations, including meadows, hedgerows, verges, open woodland, parks and gardens. A common and widespread species.

Taken local field, Staffordshire. © Pete Hillman 2010, 2012, and 2016.