About Taraxacum erythrospermum Andrz. ex Besser
Taraxacum erythrospermum Andrz. ex Besser is very similar to the common dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, and is often mistaken for it. Its most straightforward distinguishing feature is its reddish-brown seed bases, which contrasts with the more olive-colored seeds of T. officinale. Red-seeded dandelion can also be identified by its leaf structure: its leaves have consistently triangular lobes along their entire length, while T. officinale typically has irregular lobing that shows little to no triangular form. Because of this lobe shape, the leaves of T. erythrospermum are more similar to the basal leaves of common sow thistles (Sonchus oleraceus). This species is native to Europe, Northern Africa, and Asia. It has been introduced to a large part of North America, and also to Southern America (specifically Argentina), Iceland, Great Britain, and the Korean Peninsula.
