Skip to main content

WildBristol.uk - Discovering Wildlife in Bristol

73.) TARAXACUM - Dandelions

TARAXACUM

Until recently the recording of dandelions in the Bristol region had been largely ignored. Quite surprising really considering it is the best studied region in Britain for its botanicals in general, including the other cryptic genus - Rubus. It is thanks to D. Peters who's exhaustive efforts have single-handedly tackled this last botanical frontier - initially sparked off as a hobby during Lockdown at the age of just 16 and quickly turned into an obsession - that our knowledge of this cryptic group of plants is more complete. Prior to his work, only 40 species had been recorded in our region. It now stands at a very impressive 159! One of which is new to Britain! The working out of dandelions in our region is far from complete and the number could well surpass 200. A list of species which should and could occur but have not yet been detected is provided at the end.

sect. Erythrosperma (H. Lindb.) Dahlst. (18)

  • Taraxacum lacistophyllum (Dahlst.) Raunk. (Cut-leaved Dandelion) Scattered and scarce but very locally frequent on well-drained, sparsely vegetated often skeletal soils in calcareous districts such as rocky outcrops, headlands, dunes, old quarries, and short unimproved grassland. I only know it occurring in small populations in the Avon Gorge and on Sand Point but existing records have it from Bleadon Hill, Sand bay and Durley Hill near Keynsham. It will occur in similar situations elsewhere. Its habitat preference suggests It was certainly more common in the past when grazing kept woodland from forming as has happened in many parts of our higher ground not already destroyed by other means e.g. golf courses.

  • Taraxacum brachyglossum (Dahlst.) Raunk. (Purple-bracted Dandelion) Same status and distribution as for T. lacistophyllum and often grows with it but less restricted to calcareous soils.

  • Taraxacum argutum Dahlst. (Sharp-toothed Dandelion) - Field Handbook Very rare. Only recorded once. A plant strictly of acidic to mesic soils such as heaths and well-drained acidic grassland.

  • Taraxacum rubicundum Dahlst. (Ruddy Dandelion) Rare Again same status and distribution as the first 2 species but requires even more open ground. It's extremely delicate and easy to miss. Grows very sparsely on the species-rich and rock exposed parts of Clifton Down and in the Avon Gorge.

Occurs in scatterred localities in the Avon Gorge, Clifton Down and Sand Point.

  • Taraxacum parnassicum Dahlst. (Parnassus Dandelion) - Field Handbook Very rare and only recorded once but probably widely distributed as for T. rubicundum - chalk and limestone grassland

  • Taraxacum dunense Soest (Dune Dandelion) - Field Handbook Very rare. Recorded only once.

  • Taraxacum haworthianum Dudman & A.J. Richards (Haworth's Dandelion) - Field Handbook Very rare. Recorded only once from Kewstoke Bay?

  • Taraxacum proximum Dahlst. (Umber-fruited Dandelion) - Field Handbook Very rare. Well-drained grassland.

  • Taraxacum pseudoproximum Soest (Essex Dandelion) Very rare. An extraordinary find. This nationally rare dandelion was previously thought to be restricted to Hengistbury Head, South Hampshire on maritime sandy gravel with a few more scattered records elsewhere which are suspected to be introductions or erroneous. During a BNS meeting ironically looking at rare plants of the Avon Gorge I stumbled upon 2 plants growing perfectly on a slope of carboniferous limestone grassland about 800 m from the Suspension Bridge on the Leigh Woods (N. Somerset) side. I need to revisit as I imagine there must be more than two plants and it may occur on the Bristol side too. Yet another addition to the rare plants of the Avon Gorge!

  • Taraxacum disseminatum G.E. Haglund (Golden-fruited Dandelion) Rare. Grows on Packers Field, Speedwell and Horfield Common (Bristol) where it is fairly frequent. Thought to be an introduction and is likely to exist locally in other grass-sown areas such as lawns, parks, playing fields and roadside verges throughout the region.

  • Taraxacum oxoniense Dahlst. (Oxford Dandelion) - NBN, Field Handbook Scarce and local on well-drained soils such as dunes, limestone grassland, old quarries etc. Very locally frequent in parts of the Avon Gorge.

  • Taraxacum fulviforme Dahlst. (Green-bracted Dandelion) - Field Handbook Very rare on well-drained, acidic substrates.

  • Taraxacum fulvum Raunk. (Cinnamon-fruited Dandelion) - Field Handbook, 1 record according to NBN Rare but locally frequent in dry short open grassland.

  • Taraxacum scoticum A.J. Richards (Scottish Dandelion) - Field Handbook Very rare. Recorded only once from Berrow Sands?

  • Taraxacum glauciniforme Dahlst. (Many-toothed Dandelion) - Field Handbook, NBN Very rare in short, dry, calcareous grassland.

  • Taraxacum retzii Soest (De Retz's Dandelion) One plant on a recent roadworks site (probably introduced) at the bottom of Springfield Ave, Bristol.

  • Taraxacum wallonicum Soest (Belgium Dandelion) Very rare. I discovered a tiny population on a section of Durdham Down in 2022. It's considered to be only native in the S.E. where it grows in short dry grassland, commons, heaths and lawns but an ancient site such as the downs could easily extend it's natural range. I expect it to occur elsewhere. Also found on Sand Point in 2025.

  • Taraxacum degelii G.E. Haglund (Degelius's Dandelion) - Field Handbook Very rare. Recorded only once from Kewstoke Bay?

  • Taraxacum acutum A.J. Richards (Violet-striped Dandelion) - 1 record according to NBN Very rare. Recorded once.

sect. Obliqua (Dahlst.) Dahlst. (1)

  • Taraxacum platyglossum Raunk. (Tongue-leaved Dandelion) Very rare. It grows only at Kewstoke Bay where it was discovered in ? and rediscovered many years later by myself in 2023. Additionally the other member of the section, T. obliquum (Fr.) Dahlst. (Many-lobed Dandelion) is mentioned in Glos. Fl. but I have no doubt they were mistakes for sect. erythrosperma, most likely T. rubicundum, T. parnassicum and T. oxoniense. T. obliquum is restricted to coasts in the north.

sect. Palustria (H. Lindb.) Dahlst. (1)

  • Taraxacum palustre (Lyons) Symons (Fen Dandelion) Glos. Fl. Very rare. First discovered at Barrow Gurney in 1914-15 from Yate common in 1918 and in a few other spots close by soon after. It should still occur here and in suitable spots elsewhere in the region. It is one of the few dandelions known in White's time and he mentions..."The rather strongly marked T. palustre DC. has not come under notice, but should be found in bogs and damp places."

Discovered at Yate Common in May, 1914 by Mr Cedric Bucknall. [see BNS Archives - Bristol Botany in 1914]

Barrow Hill, C.I. Sandwith (says Barrow Gurney in N.Y. Sandwith's Orbituary, 1965) and Rowberrow Warren, I.M. Roper. [Bristol Botany in 1915 and 1916]

[see BNS Archives - N.Y. Sandwith Obituary]

sect. Spectabilia (Dahlst.) Dahlst. (1)

  • Taraxacum faeroense Dahlst. ex Henry H. Johnst. (Faeroes Dandelion) - Field Handbook, NBN Rare.

sect. Naevosa M.P. Christ. (5)

Taraxacum 'Bristol Naevosa' Rare in the area around Bishopston, along Muller Rd, Eastville Park and Stoke Park. I first discovered a localised population of this unidentified plant on Muller Rd. where it grows along a wooded bank, connecting onto Purdown and on the grass banks either side of Petherbridge Way, occasionally occurring at the base of walls in between. I later discovered it in a few spots around Bishopston and I've also encountered a single plant at Stoke Park (bordering onto Long Wood) and another at Eastville Park. It might occur elsewhere. It might be an established introduction but it could easily be an undiscovered native.

Taraxacum sect. Naevosa Unidentified 2 Like a very small T. longisquameum but with green petioles and covered in spots. I found two plants growing down a lane beside my house.

  • Taraxacum euryphyllum (Dahlst.) M.P. Christ. (Wide-stalked Dandelion) - Field Handbook Rare. Recorded once.

  • Taraxacum ronae Margetts (Ronae's Dandelion) - var. ronae Very Rare. I found a single plant at Weston-super-Mare in 2023. A revisit is needed as it's likely it was not alone and there could well be a localised population in the area. - extending its previous known range in England from its nearest known site at West Somerset by a good few miles.

  • Taraxacum cornubiense A.J. Richards (Cornish Dandelion) Very Rare. I've discovered 2 established populations in Bristol: a lane-side just off Maple Rd, Bristol and another not far away at the base of a wall and the other - a waste patch on Springfield Ave. In the words of John Richards "these are remarkable finds." This plant is supposed to be endemic to Cornwall over 120 miles away but It's undoubtedly been introduced with materials. In the case of the lane location it was likely introduced with gravel from a Cornish quarry.

  • Taraxacum pseudomarklundii Soest (False Marklund's Dandelion) Very Rare. 1 plant in a garden in Redland in 2022. A couple of plants along a cobbled lane just off Cotham Rd in 2024.

  • Taraxacum richardsianum C.C. Haw. (Richard's Dandelion) - Field Handbook Very Rare

sect. Celtica A.J. Richards (12)

  • Taraxacum gelertii Raunk. (Gelert's Dandelion) - Field Handbook Rare

  • Taraxacum bracteatum Dahlst. (Dark-green Dandelion) Widespread and frequent throughout the Region this is one of the commonest dandelions to be seen. It has a liking for growing at the foot of walls but is just as happy in more rural situations on hedgebanks and country lanes.

  • Taraxacum britannicum Dahlst. (British Dandelion) Common and widespread. This is by my judgement, the commonest dandelion to be seen in Bristol and likely the region as a whole; growing mostly in slightly damp soils with slight shade such as below parkland trees, bases of walls, road verges, grassland, gardens, churchyards etc. The best place to see it is on the Downs, particularly beneath the tree lines on Saville Rd and Circular Road but it can be expected anywhere.

  • Taraxacum subbracteatum A.J. Richards (Dark-bracted Dandelion) Widespread and scattered throughout the Region preferring damper more acidic soils on Road verges, lane banks. Occasionally in more urban areas at the base of walls. A good population can be seen at Royal Meadow, Blaise Castle.

  • Taraxacum duplidentifrons Dahlst. (Double-toothed Dandelion) I've only recorded it once from Sand Point but it is probably locally common throughout the region.

  • Taraxacum hesperium C.C. Haw. (Western Dandelion) - Field Handbook

  • Taraxacum excellens Dahlst. (Purple-blotched Dandelion) Scattered and local. I've recorded it only twice; one plant in the Wildflower Protection Zone, Clifton Down and another at the base of a wall on Cotham Rd.

  • Taraxacum tamesense A.J. Richards (Thames Dandelion) Very rare and localised to wet places. I have only recorded it twice - once on the tow path below Leigh Woods, and on a wet road verge beside the Markham Brook on Sandy Lane, Lower Failand (both in 2023) but I expect it to occur sparingly throughout the region.

  • Taraxacum haematicum G.E. Haglund ex H. Øllg. & Wittzell (Blood-red Dandelion) Very Rare but probably widespread. I've only recorded it twice - once in a front garden on Springfield Ave and another on a grass bank outside Aldi, beside Muller Rd, Bristol.

  • Taraxacum nordstedtii Dahlst. (Nordstedt's Dandelion) Rare but locally frequent in North Somerset.

  • Taraxacum sect. Celtica Unidentified 1 I discovered two plants of this peculiar-looking dandelion on Berkeley Rd. An introduction.

  • Taraxacum ostenfeldii Raunk. (Ostenfeld's Dandelion) - Field Handbook

  • Taraxacum unguilobum Dahlst. (Claw-lobed Dandelion) - Field Handbook

sect. Hamata H. Øllg. (14)

  • Taraxacum hamatum Raunk. (Hook-lobed Dandelion) Widespread and fairly frequent but nowhere near as common as some other members of the section.

  • Taraxacum hamatulum Hagend., Soest & Zevenb. (Slender Hook-lobed Dandelion) Widespread and fairly frequent throughout the region on hedgebanks, lane-sides and open woods.

  • Taraxacum subhamatum M.P. Christ. (Large Hook-lobed Dandelion) Widespread and fairly frequent throughout the region.

  • Taraxacum marklundii Palmgr. (Marklund's Dandelion) Widespread and locally frequent throughout the region.

  • Taraxacum hamiferum Dahlst. (Dark Hook-lobed Dandelion) Widespread and locally frequent throughout the region.

  • Taraxacum quadrans H. Øllg. (Fleshy-lobed Dandelion) Woodland Appears to have a strong association with ancient woodland but is occasionally found in more open grassy habitats.

  • Taraxacum pseudohamatum Dahlst. (False Hook-lobed Dandelion) Common and widespread throughout the region though never usually found in any quantity; often just seen as single plants. The commonest member of the section.

Common in both rural and urban areas; occurring in woodland rides, road verges, gardens, parks, allotments, churchyards and at the bases of walls.

  • Taraxacum boekmanii Borgv. (Bökman's Dandelion) Widespread and locally frequent throughout the region.

  • Taraxacum atactum Sahlin & Soest (Narrow-bracted Dandelion) Rare and localised. I've only found it at the bottom of the Gully and in the Avon Gorge but it should exist sparingly in all our more ancient woodland situations.

  • Taraxacum sahlinianum Dudman & A.J. Richards (Sahlin's Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum pruinatum M. P. Christ. (Pruinose Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum hamatiforme Dahlst. ex Lindm. (Asymmetrical Hook-lobed Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum lancidens Hagend., Soest & Zevenb. (Spear-toothed Dandelion) Widespread and locally frequent; mainly in unimproved grassland.

  • Taraxacum lamprophyllum M. P. Christ. (Lustrous-leaved Dandelion)

sect. Taraxacum (formerly sect. Ruderalia Kirschner, H. Øllg. & Štěpánek) (107/8)

Alata Group: (10)

  • Taraxacum alatum H. Lindb. (Green Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum densilobum Rail. (Close-lobed Dandelion) Widespread and frequent throughout the region. One of our commonest dandelions.

  • Taraxacum dilaceratum Dahlst. (Lacerate-leaved Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum pallescens M.P. Christ. (Pink-stalked Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum pannucium Dahlst. (Green-stalked Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum subexpallidum Dahlst. (Tongue-lobed Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum laeticolor Dahlst. (Pale-stalked Dandelion) Widespread and locally frequent. Does well in a range of habitats ranging from woodland rides to roadside verges and gardens but seems to prefer slightly damp soils in sheltered spots.

  • Taraxacum sublaeticolor Dahlst. (Small-headed Dandelion) Scattered and rare. I've only recorded it twice.

  • Taraxacum leucopodum G.E. Haglund (White-stalked Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum macrolobum Dahlst. (Incise-lobed Dandelion)

Undulata Group: (3)

  • Taraxacum undulatum H. Lindb. & Marklund (Wavy-leaved Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum corynodes G.E. Haglund (Dense-lobed Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum tenebricans Dahlst. (Shiny-leaved Dandelion)

Croceiflora Group: (11)

  • Taraxacum insigne Ekman ex M.P. Christ. & Wiinst. (Remarkable Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum pannulatiforme Dahlst. (Tar-blotched Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum laticordatum Markl. (Decumbent Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum subhuelphersianum M.P. Christ. (Light-green Dandelion) Locally frequent around Bennett's Patch.

  • Taraxacum necessarium H. Øllg. (Dark-leaved Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum lepidum M.P. Christ. (Pruinose-bracted Dandelion) Locally frequent in grassy places.

  • Taraxacum expallidiforme Dahlst. (Broad-stalked Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum pallidipes Markl. (Grey-bracted Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum croceiflorum Dahlst. (Orange-flowered Dandelion) - Field handbook, NBN

  • Taraxacum lacerifolium G.E. Haglund (Jagged-leaved Dandelion) Locally frequent in grassland, hay meadows, lawns.

  • Taraxacum lunare M.P. Christ. (Lunar-lobed Dandelion) Very rare. I've only recorded it once outside Tesco, Goldenhill, Bristol but I have no doubt it will be scattered throughout the region.

Stenacra Group: (4)

  • Taraxacum stenacrum Dahlst. (Linear-lobed Dandelion) Very rare. I only once found it growing from Lord's Wood

  • Taraxacum porrigens Markl. ex Puol. (Hump-lobed Dandelion) - Field handbook

  • Taraxacum undulatiflorum M.P. Christ. (Dull-leaved Dandelion) Locally frequent around Bristol at the bases of street trees, in parks, churchyards and at the bases of walls.

  • Taraxacum chloroticum Dahlst. ex Florstr. (Spiky-leaved Dandelion) Very rare.

Piceata Group: (10)

  • Taraxacum piceatum Dahlst. (Leaden-bracted Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum cyanolepis Dahlst. (Bluish-bracted Dandelion) - recorded as T. alienum Glos. Fl.

  • Taraxacum curtifrons H. Øllg. (Variable-leaved Dandelion) Generally rare and local but appears to be widespread on rough open ground such as road verges and pavements at the foot of walls.

  • Taraxacum acutifrons Markl. (Acute-leaved Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum sublongisquameum M.P. Christ. (Roadside Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum chrysophaenum Rail. (Orange-toothed Dandelion) Very Rare Recorded in Horfield Parish Churchyard.

  • Taraxacum tumentilobum Markl. ex Puol. (Swollen-lobed Dandelion) Very Rare Only found at Western-super-Mare in 2022.

  • Taraxacum intumescens G.E. Haglund (Red-tipped Dandelion) Very Rare Found on an island crossing on Durdham Downs and at Bennett's Patch.

  • Taraxacum ancistrolobum Dahlst. (Few-lobed Dandelion) Scattered and sometimes locally frequent such as in the vicinity of the Avon Gorge but often only encountered as individuals.

  • Taraxacum sellandii Dahlst. (Selland's Dandelion) General Frequent A fairly frequent species, (inhabiting / found / occurring) in both urban and more natural environments but prefers damp slightly shaded situations such as lane-sides, hedgebanks, open woodland, gardens and churchyards.

Maculata Group: (9)

  • Taraxacum multicolorans Hagend., Soest & Zevenb. (Many-coloured Dandelion) - Field handbook, NBN

  • Taraxacum nitidum Hagend., Soest & Zevenb. (Shining Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum longisquameum H. Lindb. (Elongate-bracted Dandelion) Scattered and locally frequent.

  • Taraxacum scotiniforme Dahlst. ex G.E. Haglund (Deltoid-lobed Dandelion) Scattered and rare but locally frequent and probably well distributed.

  • Taraxacum maculatum Jord. (Yellowish-green Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum fasciatum Dahlst. (Dense-bracted Dandelion) - Field handbook Very rare. A single plant at Horfield Common. It will exist elsewhere but I have not come across it since.

  • Taraxacum subxanthostigma M.P. Christ. ex H. Øllg. (Purple-stalked Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum melanthoides Dahlst. ex M.P. Christ. & Wiinst. (Bluish-leaved Dandelion) Very rare. A very good addition to the region. A small population grows on wet ground in Barn Wood, Stoke Park in 2023 and a single plant growing on a grass bank on the edge of Eastville Park, along Fishponds Rd, indicating a general distribution in the N.E. of Bristol and I expect it to exist elsewhere in the region.

  • Taraxacum severum M.P. Christ. (Severed Dandelion) Rare but locally abundant along the river Avon in the Avon Gorge and scattered elsewhere in disturbed grassy places.

Dilatata Group: (10)

  • Taraxacum aequisectum M.P. Christ. (Equal-lobed Dandelion) Very rare. I discovered a small population on Road verges on Henbury Rd in 2023 but it should occur widely throughout the region.

  • Taraxacum laciniosifrons Wiinst. ex Raunk. (Hairy-stemmed Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum edmondsonianum H. Øllg. (Edmondson's Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum latens H. Øllg. (Cut-lobed Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum obtusifrons Markl. (Obtuse-leaved Dandelion) Scattered and rare but locally frequent, preferring damper soils in slightly shaded places such as lane-sides, hedgebanks, grassland and roadside verges. I have once recorded a plant growing in woodland next to a spring.

  • Taraxacum lucidum Dahlst. (Large-bracted Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum vastisectum Markl. ex Puol. (Crowded-lobed Dandelion) - 1 record according to NBN

  • Taraxacum dilatatum H. Lindb. (Grassland Dandelion) Scattered and locally frequent.

  • Taraxacum diastematicum Markl. (Bulbous-lobed Dandelion) Very rare. Appears to have a minor locality around Leigh Woods.

  • Taraxacum hepaticum Rail. (Regular-lobed Dandelion) Rare

Stenoglossa Group: (12)

  • Taraxacum pulchrifolium Markl. ex Lindb. (Beautiful-leaved Dandelion) A frequent species on pavements and road verges around Bristol, dunes at Sand Bay and limestone grassland on the Downs. It is considered by Richards (2021) to be an introduction but its peculiar abundance at the last two stations suggests it could well be native here.

  • Taraxacum subundulatum Dahlst. (Complex-leaved Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum exacutum Markl. (Imbricate-bracted Dandelion) - 1 record according to NBN

  • Taraxacum adiantifrons E. Ekman ex Dahlst. (Pretty-leaved Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum retroflexum H. Lindb. (Reflexed-lobed Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum stenoglossum Brenner non Dahlst. (Dahlstedt's Dandelion, Glossy Dandelion) - 1 unconfirmed record according to NBN, Field Handbook

  • Taraxacum sinuatum Dahlst. (Sinuate-lobed Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum caloschistum Dahlst. (Brilliant-stalked Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum mimulum Dahlst. ex H. Lindb. (Sharp-lobed Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum valens Markl. (Reflexed-bracted Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum leptodon Markl. (Yellow-styled Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum incisum H. Øllg. (Incise-leaved Dandelion)

Trilobata Group: (4)

  • Taraxacum trilobatum Palmgr. (Three-lobed Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum planum Raunk. (Diverse-leaved Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum aurosulum H. Lindb. (Tailed Dandelion) - Field Handbook

  • Taraxacum ochrochlorum G.E. Haglund ex Rail. (Winged Dandelion)

Pannulata Group: (6/7)

  • Taraxacum latisectum H. Lindb. (Broad-lobed Dandelion) Found once at Castle Park. Probably scattered and locally frequent throughout the region.

  • Taraxacum pannulatum Dahlst. (Brown-ribbed Dandelion) - Field handbook, NBN

  • Taraxacum blandum G.E. Haglund. - previously T. remanentilobum Soest. (Falcate-lobed Dandelion) - NBN - probably a mistake for the previous

  • Taraxacum fagerstroemii Såltin (Fagerström's Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum interveniens G.E. Haglund. (City Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum rhamphodes G.E. Haglund. (Robust Dandelion) Locally frequent. Woodland rides, parks.

  • Taraxacum procerisquameum H. Øllg. (Large-headed Dandelion) - Field Handbook, 1 unconfirmed record according to NBN I've recorded it twice.

  • Taraxacum exsertiforme Hagend., Soest & Zevenb. (Erect-bracted Dandelion) Locally frequent and often dominant where it occurs. Grassland, woodland rides, churchards, verges. Particularly frequent around Horfield Common.

Ekmania Group: (17)

  • Taraxacum ekmanii Dahlst. (Ekman's Dandelion) - Field Handbook

  • Taraxacum coartatum G.E. Haglund. (Irregular-bracted Dandelion) Locally frequent around Horfield Common.

  • Taraxacum angulare Hagend., Soest & Zevenb. (Angular-lobed Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum latissimum Palmgr. (Broad-leaved Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum aequilobum Dahlst. (Twisted-bracted Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum cordatum Palmgr. (Entire-lobed Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum xanthostigma H. Lindb. (Ochre-styled Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum pachymerum G.E. Haglund. (Dirty-leaved Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum lingulatum Markl. (Long-bracted Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum pseudoretroflexum M.P. Christ. (Spur-lobed Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum dudmanianum inedit. (Dudman's Dandelion) - Field Handbook

  • Taraxacum altissimum H. Lindb. (Tall Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum obliquilobum Dahlst. (Orange-tipped Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum pectinatiforme H. Lindb. (Pectinate-leaved Dandelion) Glos. Fl. Very Rare Only once recorded - at Castle Park in 2024.

  • Taraxacum polyodon Dahlst. (Common Dandelion) Glos. Fl. widespread and fairly frequent in a range of habitats throughout the region including pavements, grassland, waste places and roadside verges. As the name implies it is very variable in appearance - ranging from almost skeletal in harsh conditions to quite luxuriant in sheltered positions.

  • Taraxacum hexhamense A.J. Richards (Hexham Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum amplum Markl. (Toothed Dandelion) Scattered along pavements, sometimes locally frequent; occasionally in more natural places such as grass and hedgebanks

Acutifida Group: (11)

  • Taraxacum exsertum Hagend., Soest & Zevenb. (Pale-green Dandelion)

  • Taraxacum acroglossum Dahlst. (Broad-bracted Dandelion) Very rare but locally frequent in my garden and along a lane beside my home in Bishopston. Probably scattered along road verges and disturbed grassy places throughout the region.

  • Taraxacum semiglobosum H. Lindb. (Hairy-ribbed Dandelion) Very rare but locally frequent along a lane beside by home in Bishopston. Also a small population at the base of a few trees on Saville Road and Parrys Lane. Will occur elsewhere.

  • Taraxacum huelphersianum G.E. Haglund. (Hülphers's Dandelion) - 1 record according to NBN

  • Taraxacum nigridentatum T. Edm. (Black-toothed Dandelion) - Field Handbook

  • Taraxacum angustisquameum Dahlst. ex H. Lindb. (Multilobed Dandelion) Locally frequent in the more species-rich parts of the Downs and also at Inglestone Common. Requires short open grassland and is probably locally frequent in such places throughout the region. It's small semi-prostrate stature is well suited for coping with high intensities of mowing, grazing and trampling and it's probably escaped my notice in such areas.

  • Taraxacum stereodes Ekman ex G.E. Haglund. (Hairy-stalked Dandelion) Rare. Locally plentiful in one spot - on a large grass bank outside Aldi on Muller Rd, converging with Petherbridge Way. Also a single plant on a pavement close by on Springfield Ave - clearly a stray from the main population. It will exist elsewhere in the region.

  • Taraxacum sagittipotens Dahlst. & Ohlsen ex Haglund (Smooth Dandelion) Rare but likely scattered and locally plentiful. I've only recorded it a few times: River Avon at ?, Hengrove Mounds and on grassy banks at the centre of a subway system below the M32 before reaching Eastville Park.

  • Taraxacum atonolobum Hagend., Soest & Zevenb. (Recurved-lobed Dandelion) A national rarity. Prior to my discoveries only a handful of records existed. In 2023 I made more records in just one week than had previously been made in the whole of Britain and it has turned out to be well-established and reasonably frequent in Bristol at the bases of walls and roadside verges; following the main roads: Henbury Rd, Muller Rd, Wellington Hill and Fishponds Rd. Additionally a couple of times on Gloucester Rd (surprisingly not well established here) also. I wouldn't be surprised if it turns up in other urban areas elsewhere in the region; perhaps around Bath.

  • Taraxacum oblongatum Dahlst. (Oblong-leaved Dandelion) Scattered and uncommon but well distributed. Usually only found as single plants at the foot of walls and disturbed grassy places but sometimes forms reasonable strongholds such as along the floating harbour and the streets around Westbury-on-Trym.

  • Taraxacum cophocentrum Dahlst. (Rounded-lobed Dandelion)

Additional species which should and could occur: (44)

  • Taraxacum inopinatum C.C. Haw. (Unexpected Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum arenastrum A.J. Richards (Sand Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum commixtum G.E. Haglund (Sociable Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum proximiforme Soest (Straw-fruited Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum falcatum Brenner (Narrow-lobed Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum anglicum Dahlst. (English Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum naevosiforme Dahlst. (Wetland Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum maculosum A.J. Richards (Spotted Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum pseudolarssonii A.J. Richards (Spreading-bracted Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum subnaevosum A.J. Richards (Pale-bracted Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum stictophyllum Dahlst. (Stiff-leaved Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum atrocollinum A.J. Richards (Hill Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum oellgaardii C.C. Haw. (Ollgaard's Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum porteri C.C. Haw. (Porter's Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum celticum A.J. Richards (Celtic Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum inane A.J. Richards (Pollenless Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum fulgidum G.E. Haglund (Bright Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum akteum Hagend., Soest & Zevenb. (Hampshire Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum landmarkii Dahlst. (Landmark Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum chlorofrugale Oosterv. ex A.J.Richards (Greenish-yellow Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum pietii-oosterveldii H. Øllg. (Piet-oosterveld's Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum berthae C.C. Haw. (Bertha's Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum cambricum A.J. Richards (Welsh Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum lancastriense A.J. Richards (Lancashire Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum palustrisquameum A.J. Richards (False Fen Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum amicorum A.J. Richards (Friend's Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum fulvicarpum Dahlst. (Brown-fruited Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum luteum C.C. Haw. & A.J. Richards (Pure Yellow Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum subericinum Hagend., Soest & Zevenb.
  • Taraxacum fusciflorum H. Øllg. (Brown-striped Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum prionum Hagend., Soest & Zevenb. (Saw-leaved Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum spiculatum M.P. Christ. (Sagittate-lobed Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum kernianum Hagend., Soest & Zevenb. (Kern's Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum horridifrons Rail. (Prickly-leaved Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum margettsii C.C. Haw. (Margetts's Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum cherwellense A.J. Richards (Cherwell Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum pachylobum Dahlst. (Thick-lobed Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum tanyphyllum Dahlst. (Spreading-lobed Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum speciosiflorum M.P. Christ. (Beautiful-flowered Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum macranthoides G.E. Haglund (Large-flowered Dandelion)
  • Taraxcum sundbergii Dahlst. (Sundberg's Dandelion)
  • Taraxacum acutifidum M.P. Christ. (Pointed-lobed Dandelion)

Records by R.D. Randall as seen in Nature in Avon 2025, p. 202:

T. pallidipes T. richardsianum T. subhuelphersianum T. amicorum