Dwarf Dandelion (Krigia cespitosa)
![photo](photo/krigcesp.jpg)
![Map](maps/krigcesp.jpg)
- Family: Aster (Asteraceae)
- Flowering: April-June.
- Field Marks: This is the only dandelion-like plant that has opposite leaves. It also lacks the silky bristles on the achenes.
- Habitat: Wet meadows, along streams, fallow fields.
- Habit: Annual herb with fibrous roots.
- Stems: Erect, smooth, sometimes bluish, up to 15 inches tall; latex present.
- Leaves: Basal and opposite, linear to oblong, without teeth or with occasional lobes, pointed at the tip, tapering to the base, smooth, up to 6 inches long, less than 1 inch broad; latex present.
- Flowers: Several borne in heads; the heads yellow or yellow-orange, up to 1 inch across, subtended by 5-8 smooth, lanceolate bracts.
- Sepals: 0.
- Petals: United to form yellow or yellow-orange rays up to 1/2 inch long.
- Stamens: 5.
- Pistils: Ovary inferior.
- Fruits: Achenes red-brown, minutely spiny, up to 1/16 inch long, without a tuft of silky hairs at the tip.
![line drawing](pics/krigcesp.gif)
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