Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) has Successfully Adapted to Grow in Suburban Environments

Dandelion ( Taraxacum officinale (L.) Weber ex F.H. Wigg) is a perennial herbaceous plant that, although not native to its current habitats, has become invasive, posing economic challenges by outcompeting indigenous flora and agricultural crops. The precise factors enabling its dominance remain unclear. This study focuses on two main drivers: 1. Phenotypic changes in the seed head stalk, and 2. Phenotypic plasticity facilitating adaptation to diverse environments. Dandelion seeds are dispersed efficiently by wind, although the specific mechanisms are not fully understood. Research reveals that during seed head formation, the seed head stalk elongates and grows vertically, potentially aiding in seed dispersion. Morphological variations across habitats, including natural environments, suburban lawns, and playgrounds, contribute to dandelion's success. In suburban lawns, dandelions exhibit adaptations such as small leaves, short flower stalks angled at 30 degrees or lower, growing parallel to the lawn grass to evade mowing, while in playgrounds, they develop shorter structures to withstand trampling pressure. These findings underscore dandelion's adaptability and resilience, attributed to phenotypic plasticity, across varied ecological settings.