Taraxacum mimulum “Sharp-lobed Dandelion”
Section: Ruderalia
Introduced. A few records scattered through much of Britain. A scarce casual most likely to be found near industrial sites, transport hubs, dual carriageway verges etc. And probably not persisting for long.
A medium-sized dandelion of a rather delicate build with narrow, erect, dissected leaves. Petioles rose, with narrow usually entire wings, sometimes paler on outer leaves, but usually still coloured. Leaf side-lobes 4-6, short, triangular, with 1-2 teeth above or subdivided, obtuse to acute, more or less patent. Leaves homophyllous; end-lobes short, acute, halberd-shaped. Exterior bracts narrow, somewhat sigmoid in posture, recurved with a patent apex, becoming reflexed. Capitula small with relatively few ligules, more or less flat when expanded. Most likely to be confused with T. caloschistum which has wider, spreading bracts, an obtuse end-lobe and side-lobes with a sigmoid tendency.