Taxon Report

Taraxacum ceratophorum (Ledeb.) DC.

horned dandelion

Print Report


© 2016 Steve Matson

Taxon Summary

Taraxacum ceratophorum, commonly known as horned dandelion, is a annual herb in the Asteraceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Alpine boulder and rock field, Meadows and seeps, and Valley and foothill grassland (mesic), growing at elevations from 2895 to 3610 meters. Taraxacum ceratophorum is ranked 2B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.

  Classification
Scientific Name:
 Taraxacum ceratophorum (Ledeb.) DC.
Common Name:
 horned dandelion
Family: Asteraceae
Element Code: PDAST930Y1
USDA Plants Symbol:
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History
Lifeform: annual herb
Blooming Period: Jun-Jul(Aug) Jun-Jul(Aug)
Elevation: 2895-3610 (9500-11845)
General Habitats: Alpine boulder and rock field, Meadows and seeps, Valley and foothill grassland
Microhabitat: Carbonate (sometimes)
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status
CA Rare Plant Rank: 2B.1
Global Rank: G5
State Rank:
 S1
State List: None
Fed List: None
Other Status:
CRPR Changes:
  • changed from 2.1 to 2B.1 on 2004-07-27

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB
Total Occurrences: 1
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 0
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 1

Location
California Endemic:  False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Mono (MNO)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Mt. Barcroft (3711852)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 0
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
0 %

 

Notes
Known in CA only from the vicinity of the White Mountains. See American Journal of Botany 91(5): 656-663 (2004) for information on native range and hybridization.
Threats:
Threatened by trampling, hydrological alteration, and competition. Possibly threatened by hybridization with T. officinale.
Taxonomy:
See Madroño 5:247-248 (1940) for alternate nomenclature.

Selected References

CRPR List Addition on 2004-07-27
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 16 November 2025].