If you spot a Dandelion-like plant and doubt it’s poisonous or edible? Here you can find a list of poisonous dandelion look-alike with their images and all the things you must know about them.
In my previous article, I provided you with a list of dandelion-like plants, here I want to bold the toxic ones. Most of the plants that are presented in my list contain compounds called sesquiterpene lactones, which can be toxic to animals if ingested in large amounts. These compounds can cause gastrointestinal irritation, liver damage, and other health problems.
Please note that the toxicity of these plants can vary depending on factors such as:
In addition, consuming plants that have grown in contaminated soil or water can also be hazardous to your health.
You can hear the audio version of this article :
Here you can find a list of poisonous plants that while may resemble dandelions, are not actual dandelions (Taraxacum spp.). I provide you with the images and common and scientific names. You can scroll through images and find your intended poisonous dandelion look-alike.
While these plants share some similarities with common dandelions in terms of leaf structure and flower colour, there are noticeable differences in leaf shape, size, and overall plant height. So, I also tried to compare every plant with a true (common) dandelion to make their distinguishing easy for you.
You also can gain valuable information about how these plants may be edible or how each plant can be poisonous. it will help you if you want to have a pet-friendly garden. The edible parts of each plant can vary, so I tried to show you which parts are typically safe to eat and which parts should be avoided.
It’s important to note that if you’re interested in consuming or using any of these plants for medicinal purposes, it’s best to do so under the guidance of a trained herbalist or healthcare practitioner.
Scientific name: Hypochaeris radicata
Other common names: Also known as catsear, flatweed, false dandelion, and hairy cat’s ear.
Cat’s Ear VS. Dandelion
Cat’s ear plant is a Poisonous Dandelion Look-alike that has thin, erect stems that can grow up to 30 centimetres tall. The leaves are deeply lobed with toothed edges, similar to dandelion leaves. However, cat’s ear leaves are typically narrower and more elongated compared to dandelion leaves. The yellow flowers resemble dandelion flowers but are smaller and tend to grow in clusters.
You can find more details about Cat’s Ear VS. Dandelion in my previous article.
Medicinal and/or Edible Uses:
Although poisonous if consumed in large quantities, cat’s ear leaves can be used in salads or cooked as a potherb. The plant has also been used medicinally for various ailments, such as to help treat infections and inflammation.
Edible parts of Cat’s Ear:
The young leaves of a cat’s ear can be eaten raw or cooked. The milky sap of the plant can cause skin irritation in some people.
How to cause poisonous and symptoms:
The milky sap of a cat’s ear can cause skin irritation in some people, and the plant may be toxic to livestock if consumed in large amounts.
Scientific name: Leontodon spp.
Other common names: Also known as autumn hawkbit, fall dandelion, and Mexican daisy.
Hawkbit VS. Dandelion
The Hawkbit plant is a Poisonous Dandelion Look-alike that has slender, leafless stems that can reach up to 50 centimetres in height. The leaves are typically basal and deeply lobed, similar to dandelion leaves, but they can vary in shape. Hawkbit flowers are bright yellow like dandelion flowers but are generally smaller and grow in clusters at the top of the stem.
Medicinal and/or Edible Uses:
The leaves of hawkbit can be eaten fresh or cooked, and the plant has traditionally been used in herbal medicine to treat liver and digestive problems.
Edible parts of Hawkbit:
The leaves of hawkbit can be eaten raw or cooked, as can the flowers and flower buds. The plant can be bitter and tough, and some people may find it unpalatable.
How to cause poisonous and symptoms:
While hawkbit is generally considered safe for human consumption in moderation, it can be toxic to livestock if consumed in large amounts. The plant may cause digestive upset, liver damage, and even death in some cases.
Scientific name: Sonchus spp.
Other common names: There are several different species of sow thistle, but some of their common names include milk thistle, hare’s lettuce, and common sow thistle.
Sow Thistle VS. Dandelion
Sow thistle is a Poisonous Dandelion Look-alike that has hollow stems that can grow up to 150 centimetres tall. So, this plant is also considered as a tall dandelion-like plant, do you want to know more cases, read my previous article.
The leaves are typically alternate and deeply lobed like dandelion leaves, but they may appear more elongated and irregularly shaped. Sow thistle flowers are yellow like dandelion flowers, but they usually have more petals and form larger, rounder flower heads.
Medicinal and/or Edible Uses:
The young leaves of sow thistle are edible and can be eaten raw or cooked. The plant is also used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, such as constipation and liver problems.
Edible parts of Sow Thistle:
The young leaves of sow thistle can be eaten raw or cooked, as can the flower buds and stems. The plant can be bitter and astringent, and some people may not enjoy the taste.
How to cause poisonous and symptoms:
Sow thistle contains bitter compounds called lactones, which can cause gastrointestinal irritation and other health problems in humans and animals if consumed in large amounts.
Scientific name: Lactuca serriola
Other common names: Also known as compass plant, wild lettuce, and bitter lettuce.
Prickly Lettuce VS. Dandelion
Prickly lettuce plants are Poisonous Dandelion Look-alike that can grow up to 200 centimetres tall and have upright, prickly stems. The leaves are alternate, deeply lobed, and have a prickly texture on the underside. The leaves of prickly lettuce resemble dandelion leaves but may be more elongated and have sharper lobes. The small, bright yellow flowers of prickly lettuce form clusters at the top of the stem, similar to dandelion flowers.
Medicinal and/or Edible Uses:
The young leaves of prickly lettuce can be eaten in salads or cooked as a potherb. The plant has also been used medicinally to help treat insomnia and anxiety.
Edible parts of Prickly Lettuce:
The young leaves of prickly lettuce can be eaten raw or cooked, and the sap of the plant has been traditionally used as a sedative and pain reliever. However, the mature leaves of the plant can be tough and bitter, and some people may find them unpalatable.
How to cause poisonous and symptoms:
Like other members of the lettuce family, prickly lettuce contains opium-like compounds called lactucarium. While these compounds are not generally toxic in moderate amounts, they can have a sedative effect and may cause digestive upset if consumed in large amounts.
Scientific name: Sonchus oleraceus
Other common names: Also known as annual sow thistle, common sow thistle, and hare’s colwort.
Smooth Sow Thistle VS. Dandelion
Smooth sow thistle is a Poisonous Dandelion Look-alike that has hollow stems that can reach up to 150 centimetres tall. The leaves are alternate and may have irregularly lobed edges, similar to dandelion leaves. The leaves of smooth sow thistle are typically broader and smoother compared to dandelion leaves.
The yellow flowers are numerous and form clusters at the top of the stem, resembling dandelion flower clusters. It is also one of the flowers that look like dandelion buff.
Medicinal and/or Edible Uses:
The leaves of smooth sow thistle can be eaten fresh or cooked, and the plant has traditionally been used in herbal medicine to treat a variety of conditions, including fever, cough, and kidney stones.
Edible parts of Smooth Sow Thistle:
Like sow thistle, the young leaves of smooth sow thistle can be eaten raw or cooked, as can the flower buds and stems. However, the plant can be bitter and astringent, and may not be to everyone’s taste.
How to cause poisonous and symptoms:
Smooth sow thistle contains lactones that can cause gastrointestinal irritation and other health problems if consumed in large amounts. The plant is generally considered safe for human consumption in moderation, but it may be toxic to livestock if consumed in large amounts.
Now, you learned how to distinguish a true dandelion from a poisonous dandelion look-alike. I provided you with a list of these plants with their images, scientific and common names, and a brief overview of their appearance and how they can cause poison in you or your animal.
If you suspect that you or an animal has ingested a poisonous plant, do you know what you must do? It’s best to seek medical attention or veterinary care immediately.
Do you know another poisonous dandelion look-alike that I didn’t mention above? Have you or your animal ever been poisoned with a dandelion-like plant? What treatment did you do? Please share your experiences with our readers below this page.
Hi, I’m Elaheh. My Academic major is plant protection, and houseplants are my expertise. As a houseplant lover, my house is full of indoor plants and it is my passion to take care of them. Hence, I’m here to share my knowledge and experience about growing healthy houseplants. I am also a plant protection advisor, so feel free to ask me any questions you may have.