Potato Dwarf Dandelion is a native perennial herb in the Aster family (Asteraceae) and is native to North America. It grows in semi-moist sandy or clay-loam soils, oak-hickory woods, fields, pastures and on roadsides. It is found from southern New Jersey south to Florida, west to Texas, and north to Missouri and throughout North Carolina. It is unique in propagating extensively through tubers which can be seen attached to the shallow stolons just below the surface. These 1/2" edible tubers give this plant it's "Potato" Dandelion moniker. This plant will grow 4 to 20 inches high and spread by rhizomes. Preference is for well-drained soil but can tolerate a wide range of soil types including sandy and clay soils. Potato dwarf dandelion prefers full sun to part shade. Propagation is by seed or division. To propagate by seed, sow the seeds in the spring or fall. To propagate by division, dig up the plant in the spring or fall and separate the clumps. From April to June, potato dwarf dandelion displays a single large yellow/orange flower on a leafless stem. The leaves are arranged in a basal rosette and may vary in shape but are generally linear to lobed and narrow” This plant can be used in an edible garden as all parts are edible. It can also be used in a naturalized area, meadow, or planned herb garden. Be aware that it can be weedy and the milky sap in the stem can cause contact dermatitis for sensitive people. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Can be subject to root rot if soil is too wet. May also get powdery mildew..
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate; Rosulate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Linear; Spatulate
Leaf margin
Entire; Lobed; Serrate
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Long, thin, hairless green leaves with small infrequent teeth. The leaf tip is usually sharply pointed. The shape varies from linear to lanceolate to spatulate.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Orange
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Radial
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
The flowers are solitary bright yellow-orange with 8-13 petals each with fringed tips borne on a long stem. They are 1/2 to 2 inches across. Long, narrow, leafy green bracts are at the base of the flower head. Blooms April-June
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Tiny (2.5mm) generally cylindrical with microscopic blunt ribs
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Green round leafless smooth stems
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
North America
Distribution
AL, AR, DC, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, NJ, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA
Wildlife value
Flowers attract pollinators
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Leaves; Flowers; Roots; Nuts
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Achene
Edibility
All parts are edible. The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked and have a slightly bitter taste. The flowers add color and nutrition to salads or can be used to brew tea. Roasted dandelion roots are used in a tasty drink similar to coffee.