Taxonomy

Scorzoneroides autumnalis (L.) Moench

Common synonyms

Apargia autumnalis (L.) Hoffm.; Picris autumnalis (L.) All.; Scorzonera autumnalis (L.) Lam.; Oporinia autumnalis (L.) D.Don; Hedypnois autumnalis (L.) Huds.; Leontodon autumnalis L.; Virea autumnalis (L.) Gray

Common name

Fall dandelion

Description

Propagule or dispersal unit is the fruit with pappus. Fertile part 3-6 mm long, 0.3-0.7 mm wide, in side view widest in the middle, rarely widest in lower part (ovoid), +/- straight or conspicuously curved, the upper (apical) end narrowing, in cross-section flattened, basal scar (carpopodium) inconspicuous and undifferentiated, central, beak (=thinner sterile stalk between seed and pappus) absent, wings absent, fruit surface light brown or straw, wrinkled, with no hairs (glabrous), thickened margin absent, longitudinal ribs present, 5-16, their surfaces toothed, serrated or scale-like, with no hairs (glabrous).

Pappus type bristles / hairs, pappus elements all +/- similar, rarely clearly differentiated, up to 4-7.5 mm long, in one row, pappus elements numerous, persistent, the individual bristles rough / serrated (barbellate) or feathery (plumose) along most of length, +/- equal width along length or clearly wider at base, brown.