Taraxacum spectabile

Photo © Carl Farmer
14 May 2003 Skeabost

Frequent in wet moorland

Flower diameter c 30-50 mm

Skye ID: Precise ID cannot be given for Dandelions, but this group usually has the following features:

Outer bracts less than 3x as long as wide, upright or spreading but not reflexed.
Leaves not narrow or deeply cut, usually with red midrib
Outer florets often red below
Beak of achene (fruit) 1.5-2.5 x as long as rest of achene.

Other features: The most constant feature of this group seems to be that it likes wet ground, and so can be told on habitat alone from T laevigatum which demands dry conditions. Often has the flowering stem prostrate, whereas T officinale is usually erect except where trodden or mown.

Skye Flora