Taxon Report
Taraxacum californicum Munz & Jtn.California dandelion |
|
Taxon Summary
Taraxacum californicum, commonly known as California dandelion, is a perennial herb in the Asteraceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Meadows and seeps, growing at elevations from 1620 to 2800 meters. Taraxacum californicum is ranked 1B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.Classification
|
Scientific Name: |
Taraxacum californicum Munz & Jtn. |
|
Common Name: |
California dandelion |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Element Code: | PDAST93050 |
| USDA Plants Symbol: | TACA5 |
|
Synonyms/Other Names: |
|
Ecology and Life History
| Lifeform: | perennial herb |
| Blooming Period: May-Aug | May-Aug |
| Elevation: | 1620-2800 (5315-9185) |
| General Habitats: | Meadows and seeps |
| Microhabitat: | |
| Microhabitat Details: |
Conservation Status
| CA Rare Plant Rank: | 1B.1 |
| Global Rank: | G1 |
|
State Rank: |
S1 |
| State List: | None |
| Fed List: | FE |
| Other Status: | SB_CalBG/RSABG |
|
CRPR Changes: |
|
Occurrence Data from the CNDDB
| Total Occurrences: | 45 |
| Element Occurrence Ranks: | |
| Excellent (A) | 0 |
| Good (B) | 12 |
| Fair (C) | 13 |
| Poor (D) | 1 |
| None (X) | 5 |
| Unknown (U) | 14 |
| California Endemic: True | |
| California Counties and Islands: Name (Code) | |
| San Bernardino (SBD) | |
| Quads: Name (Quad Code) | |
| Big Bear City (3411637), Big Bear Lake (3411628), Fawnskin (3411638), Moonridge (3411627), Onyx Peak (3411626), San Gorgonio Mtn. (3411617) | |
Threat List Data from the CNDDB
| Threat List Total: | 15 | |
| EOs with Threat Listed: | Total EOs | % of EOs |
| 37 | 82 % | |
| Hybridization | 32 | 71% |
| Non-native plant impacts | 32 | 71% |
| Recreational use (non-ORV) | 24 | 53% |
| Altered flood/tidal/hydrologic regime | 23 | 51% |
| Insufficient population/stand size | 17 | 37% |
| Foot traffic/trampling | 13 | 28% |
| Road/trail construction/maint. | 13 | 28% |
| ORV activity | 11 | 24% |
| Other | 10 | 22% |
| Development | 10 | 22% |
| Wood cutting or brush clearing | 10 | 22% |
| Non-native animal impacts | 7 | 15% |
| Vandalism/dumping/litter | 6 | 13% |
| Grazing | 6 | 13% |
| Mining | 1 | 2% |
Notes
|
Known only from San Bernardino Mtns. Seriously threatened by development, grazing and trampling, hydrological alterations, mining, vehicles, recreation, and hybridization with non-native T. officinale |
|
Threats: |
|
Taxonomy: |
Citation
California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 4 November 2025].