About Taraxacum ceratophorum (Ledeb.) DC.
Taraxacum ceratophorum (Ledeb.) DC. is a herbaceous perennial dandelion species. Mature individuals typically grow between 5 and 30 cm in height. This plant has a taproot and a caudex, and the caudex has an approximate diameter of 5 to 10 mm. The species is diploid and shows chromosomal polymorphism, with recorded chromosome counts of 2n = 16, 18, 28, 32, or 40.
Taraxacum ceratophorum has a wide distribution across much of the Northern Hemisphere, occurring in temperate regions of Asia, Europe, and North America. In temperate Asia, it can be found in Russia, Japan, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia. In Europe, it is present in Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Great Britain, and European Russia. In North America, it is native to the United States, where it occurs in the states of Alaska, California, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. It is also found in Canada, across the provinces and territories of Alberta, British Columbia, Labrador, Manitoba, Newfoundland, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario, Québec, Saskatchewan, and Yukon.
This species inhabits subalpine and alpine zones in mountainous areas. It can grow in both moist and dry conditions, and tolerates a range of soil types including gravel, sand, and clay. It grows in natural habitats such as alpine meadows, fellfields, and rocky slopes, and can also colonize human-made habitats like gravel roads. It is usually restricted to mountainous regions, most often growing above the treeline in moist soil areas among large rocks. It can be found at elevations up to 3000 meters above sea level.
