Carolina false dandelion (Pyrrhopappus carolinianus) is a winter annual or biennial weed common in disturbed sites such as pastures and fields. The hairy leaves are deeply lobed and form a basal rosette with a taproot. The flower stalk can have many branches that end with flowers, unlike common and cat's ear dandelion. The bright yellow flowers appear in the spring and summer.

Proper turf management is important for biennial broadleaf weed control. Maintain a dense, actively growing turf through proper mowing, fertilizing, and watering practices. Mow at the proper height for your selected adapted turfgrass. Coring and traffic control reduce compaction and encourage desirable turfgrass competition. It is best to control this biennial broadleaf weed in spring or fall, if actively growing at these times.

• GROWTH SEASON / LIFE CYCLE
  • winter annual or biennial weed
• GROWTH HABIT
  • rosette
    ​Figure 1, Figure 2
• LEAFLET NUMBER
  • one
• LEAF MARGIN
  • deeply lobed
    Figure 3
• LEAF / LEAFLET SHAPE
  • linear / oblong; sharp-pointed
• LEAF WIDTH
  • ¹⁄₂ - 1 inch
• LEAF VENATION
  • pinnate
• LEAF ARRANGEMENT
  • alternate
• ROOT TYPE
  • taproot
    Figure 4, Figure 5
• FLOWER COLOR
  • yellow
    Figure 6, Figure 7, Figure 8, Figure 9, Figure 10, Figure 11, Figure 12

Figure 1. Carolina false dandelion growth habit.

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Figure 1. Carolina false dandelion growth habit.

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Figure 2. Carolina false dandelion growth habit.

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Figure 2. Carolina false dandelion growth habit.

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Figure 3. Carolina False Dandelion leaf margin.

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Figure 3. Carolina False Dandelion leaf margin.

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Figure 4. Carolina false dandelion root type.

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Figure 4. Carolina false dandelion root type.

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Figure 5. Carolina false dandelion root type.

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Figure 5. Carolina false dandelion root type.

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Figure 6. Carolina false dandelion flower color.

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Figure 6. Carolina false dandelion flower color.

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Figure 7. Carolina false dandelion flower color.

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Figure 7. Carolina false dandelion flower color.

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Figure 8. Carolina false dandelion flower color.

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Figure 8. Carolina false dandelion flower color.

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Figure 9. Carolina false dandelion flower color.

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Figure 9. Carolina false dandelion flower color.

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Figure 10. Carolina false dandelion flower color.

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Figure 10. Carolina false dandelion flower color.

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Figure 11. Carolina false dandelion flower color.

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Figure 11. Carolina false dandelion flower color.

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Figure 12. Carolina false dandelion flower color.

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Figure 12. Carolina false dandelion flower color.

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