A Comparative Study of the Red-Seeded and Common Dandelion

To the casual observer the dandelions which prove so serious a pest in lawns and elsewhere, appear to be of only one species. Upon closer investigation, it is found that there are two common species, the Common Dandelion, Taraxacum taraxacum (L) and the Red-seeded Dandelion, Taraxacum erythrospermum (Andrz). These two species are the most easily distinguished by their seeds which are an olive brown and dark red color respectively