DICOTYLBDONOtrS PLANTS. 51 



n. LIGULIFLORiE. 



TARAXACUM, DANDELION. 



Head many-flowered, large, solitary, yellow, borne on a 

 hollow scape which is short at first but lengthens after flower- 

 ing. Involucre composed of a single row of long, erect, inner 

 scales and a set of much shorter ones outside and at the base 

 of the former ones. Akenes cylindrical or spindle-shaped, 

 with 4-5 rough ribs, the apex tapering into a bristle-like beak 

 which bears a short, broadly conical tuft of soft white hairs. 

 Stemless perennial or biennial herbs, with a flattish tuft of 

 pinnately cut or jagged leaves with the teeth bent backwards 

 (Fig. 29). 



(T. officinale), Dandelion. Outer involucre reflexed ; inner 

 involucre closing over the head, after the flowers are withered, and 

 remaining shut for some days, then opening and allowing the tufted 

 akenes to form a globular head. Root stout, bitter, medicinal. 

 Young leaves eaten boiled, in spring, — the plant often cultivated for 

 the leaves by market-gardeners. 



