Composite family. 



Dandelion. Taraxacum officinale. 



Found, during April and May, in every sunny meadow, lawn, and 

 grassy road. 



The leaves, and the flowers on stems which vary from 3 or 4 to 12 

 inches in height, rise from the root. 



The long and narrow leaf is often and irregularly cut, the notches 

 generally pointing backwards, and the margin is also sharply toothed ; 

 the texture is close, the surface is smooth, and the midrib is wide ; the 

 edge is wavy. In color, grass green, the midrib pale. Many leaves grow 

 in a rosette-like cluster from the root, — the flower buds held in the 

 center. 



The small " strap-shaped " flowers, with their notched ends, are 

 gathered in overlapping rows, to form a large circular head ; in color 

 they are a brilliant orange-yellow, the central flowers deeper in tint. 

 The head is confined in a cup of many narrow, dark green, leafy bracts, 

 and set on long, smooth, elastic stems, which are hollow, and juicy with 

 a bitter-flavored milk. 



The seed-globe of the Dandelion is a favorite with children, by 

 whom it is named a " clock " ; its seeds are furnished with feathery 

 plumes, which serve as wings to waft them abroad. The flower-stem 

 too is easily split when plucked, and cui'ls into enchanting spirals that 

 no youthful taste may resist. When cut off short by the cruel lawn- 

 mower, these generous plants put forth fresh golden discs close to the 

 ground within the leaves. 



