What is the scientific name for the common dandelion?

The scientific name for the common dandelion is Taraxacum officinale.

Taraxacum officinale is a herbaceous perennial in the daisy family, Asteraceae. Its familiar yellow flower head is actually a cluster of many tiny florets. After flowering, the head develops into a spherical seed structure whose feathery fruits are carried by wind. These “clock” or “blowball” heads help explain how dandelions spread so effectively.

The plant is native to Eurasia but has become established across much of the world. Its deep taproot helps it survive mowing and drought, while its rosette of jagged leaves can grow in lawns, fields, roadsides, and disturbed ground. The common name comes from the French dent de lion, meaning “lion’s tooth,” referring to the toothed leaves.

Dandelion taxonomy can be complicated because the genus includes many closely related forms and microspecies. That does not change the standard quiz answer: Taraxacum officinale is the accepted binomial for the common dandelion. The epithet officinale traditionally indicates a medicinal or apothecary-associated plant.