Taraxacum

...A perennial plant of the Asteraceae family that grows on roadsides, banks, and lawns in human settlements (illustration). It is distributed from the southern Tohoku region to Kitakyushu. In recent years, its population has decreased due to urbanization, and it is attracting attention as an environmental indicator plant, along with the naturalized common dandelion, which has increased in number. It is diploid (2 n = 16). Its life form is rosette-shaped throughout its life. All the leaves are basal, polymorphic, and pinnately lobed in various shapes. When cut, a milky juice comes out. Around April to May, large yellow flower heads grow singly on the flower stalk, opening in the morning and closing in the evening. The florets are bisexual ray flowers only. ...

*Some of the terminology that mentions "Taraxacum" is listed below.

Source | Heibonsha World Encyclopedia 2nd Edition | Information

…人里の路傍，土手，芝地などに生育するキク科の多年草（イラスト）。東北地方南部から北九州に分布する。近年都市化につれて減少し，逆に増加した帰化種のセイヨウタンポポとともに，環境指標植物として注目されている。二倍体(2n＝16)。その生活形は一生，ロゼット形をとる。葉はすべて根生し，多型的でさまざまな形に羽状に切れ込む。切ると乳液が出る。4～5月ころ，黄色の大きな頭花が花茎に単生し，朝開き夕方閉じる。小花は両性の舌状花のみ。…

※「Taraxacum」について言及している用語解説の一部を掲載しています。

出典｜株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典 第２版について | 情報