Carolina Falsedandelion

Scientific Name -
Pyrrhopappus carolinianus (Walt.) DC.
Family - Compositae

Winter annual or biennial with erect, branched flowering stems. Leaves alternate, sharply pointed, with entire to deeply-lobed margins. Basal leaves with petioles; stem leaves lack petioles. Bright yellow flowers, similar to dandelion, on ends of erect flowering stems. Seeds brown, with long stalk and a parachute of hairs at top forming a "puff ball". Reproduces by seed. Found in the southern United States, west to Texas, north to Delaware and inland to Kansas.