Flora

Dandelion

The dandelion is very common in Jackson although it is originally from Europe and Asia. To many it looks like a flower but really it is weed. Its scientific name is Taraxcum which makes its seeds not produced with pollination. The dandelions have five to twenty- five cm long leaves. As the leaves grow outward they begin to push down the vegetation next to them. By the dandelion pushing down the vegetation it cuts off the sunlight that is required for survival. This is why people want to get dandelions out of the lawn and garden. The dandelions open to bright yellow sun. When the moon is glowing and the sun goes behind the mountains it closes up for the night. The stem of the dandelion is hollow and if you ever break it in half, white substance leaks out that is actually milky sap. As time passes the dandelion matures and loses its bright yellow color. It now becomes single-seeded fruits, this is also known as achenes. Achenes are attached to fine hairs. There fine hairs are white and if you have ever seen one it is in a sphere shape. The hairs are winded-aided. Instead of the seeds falling to the ground they are spreading as the wind can carry them. This makes the plant populate more areas, and every time you blow the seed to make a wish you are spreading the weeds even more. The organisms that feed on the dandelion are bees and larva of bugs such as butterflies and moths.