If you have seen a tall plant looks like dandelion and are searching to identify it, here you will find 5 of them with their images, names, and a brief overview of their appearance and habitat in comparison to the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale).
The common dandelion has yellow sunny flowers that are indeed a collection of a lot of tiny florets. We have been familiar with them from childhood, their blooms turn into white fluffy ball-shaped flowers that can fly in the sky, I love them. In addition, the common dandelion is an edible plant with several medical uses.
There is various flowering dandelion like plants that I introduced you to them in my previous article and taught you how to identify them. here, I want to show you how to distinguish a tall plant looks like dandelion from a common dandelion. Keep reading.
➡ You can hear the audio version of this article too.
In this part, you can find 5 tall plants that look like a dandelion with their images. In addition, I will provide you with the scientific and common names of these plants. I will give you a brief overview of their appearance and habitat that will help you to distinguish your tall plant looks like dandelion from the common dandelion. Let to start our journey.
Scientific name: Sonchus spp. (Various species within the Sonchus genus such as Sonchus oleraceus.)
Other common names: Milk Thistle, Hare’s Colwort, Hare’s Lettuce, Smooth Sow Thistle
Appearance:
Sow Thistle plants vary in height depending on the species, but they typically grow to heights of 1 to 3 feet (30 to 90 centimeters).
This tall plant looks like dandelion and has yellow composite flowers that resemble dandelions, but they often grow taller and have a more upright growth habit. The leaves are deeply lobed, similar to dandelion leaves.
Habitat:
Sow thistles are commonly found in fields, waste areas, gardens, and along roadsides.
Compared to the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale):
Sow thistles resemble dandelions with their yellow composite flowers, but they are typically taller and have a more upright growth habit. Both plants have deeply lobed leaves.
In addition, Sow thistles are often found in similar habitats to dandelions, including fields, waste areas, and roadsides. However, they may be more common in some regions.
Scientific name: Hieracium spp. (Various species within the Hieracium genus.)
Other common names: Devil’s Paintbrush, Hawkweed King Devil, Mouse-Ear Hawkweed, Yellow King Devil
Appearance:
Hawkweed species can vary in height, but they generally range from 6 inches to 2 feet (15 to 60 centimeters).
This tall plant looks like dandelion and has yellow or orange composite flowers that can look similar to dandelions. They typically grow on tall stems and have lance-shaped leaves.
Habitat:
Hawkweeds are often found in meadows, grasslands, and open woodlands.
Compared to the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale):
Hawkweeds have yellow or orange composite flowers that can resemble dandelions. They grow on tall stems and have lance-shaped leaves. Dandelions have bright yellow flowers and deeply toothed, lance-shaped leaves.
In addition, Hawkweeds are often found in meadows and grasslands, similar to dandelions, but they can also thrive in open woodlands.
Scientific name: Senecio vulgaris
Other common names: Old-man-in-the-spring, Ragwort, Simson, Grundy Swallow
Appearance:
Common Groundsel is a relatively low-growing plant, usually reaching heights of 4 to 12 inches (10 to 30 centimeters).
This tall plant looks like dandelion and has small yellow flowers that resemble dandelions but are typically smaller. It grows on slender stems and has deeply lobed leaves.
Habitat:
This plant is often found in gardens, cultivated fields, and disturbed areas.
Compared to the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale):
Common groundsel has small yellow flowers that resemble dandelions but are typically smaller. Its leaves are deeply lobed. Dandelions have larger, more recognizable flowers and deeply toothed leaves.
In addition, both common groundsel and dandelions are commonly found in gardens, cultivated fields, and disturbed areas.
Scientific name: Leucanthemum vulgare
Other common names: Common Daisy, Dog Daisy, Marguerite, Moon Daisy, White Daisy
Appearance:
Oxeye Daisy can reach heights of 1 to 3 feet (30 to 90 centimeters).
This tall plant looks like dandelion and has white, daisy-like flowers with a yellow center. While they are not yellow like dandelions, their appearance may be reminiscent of dandelions, and they can grow tall on stems.
Habitat:
Oxeye daisies are common in fields, meadows, and along roadsides.
Compared to the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale):
Oxeye daisies have white daisy-like flowers with a yellow center, which differs from the yellow flowers of dandelions. They can grow tall on stems.
In addition, Oxeye daisies are often found in fields, meadows, and along roadsides, similar to dandelions.
Scientific name: Packera aurea (formerly Senecio aureus)
Other common names: Golden Groundsel, Squaw Weed, Life Root, Cocashweed
Appearance:
Golden Ragwort typically grows to a height of 1 to 3 feet (30 to 90 centimeters).
This tall plant looks like dandelion and produces yellow, dandelion-like flowers on tall stems. Its leaves are rounded and deeply lobed.
These tall plants share certain visual characteristics with dandelions, such as the presence of yellow or white composite flowers and sometimes similar leaves. However, they also have distinct features and can be differentiated upon closer examination. Their habitats vary, but they are often found in open areas and disturbed sites.
Habitat:
This plant is often found in wet meadows, along stream banks, and in other damp, open habitats.
Golden ragwort is primarily grown as an ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes but you must be cautious due to it is not a safe-plant for cats and dogs.
Compared to the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale):
Golden ragwort produces yellow, dandelion-like flowers on tall stems. Its leaves are rounded and deeply lobed, while dandelion leaves are typically more elongated.
In addition, Golden ragwort prefers damp habitats like wet meadows and stream banks, whereas dandelions are more adaptable and can grow in a wider range of environments.
Did your intended tall plant look like a dandelion in the list above? There is another way that can help you with this purpose: Plant identifier tools. Have you ever experienced them? Here, I want to introduce one of the best: The “House plant identifier”.
It is a free online tool with an advanced algorithm that allows it to identify your intended plant (for example a tall plant looks like dandelion) with its image. You can use it to identify houseplants, trees, flowers, ornamental and wild plants. It also can detect plant disease too, thanks to it.
Working with the “House plant identifier” is very easy. After entering its website, you must take an online picture (or upload it from your gallery) and click on the “Start” button. The “Houseplant identifier” will detect your plant quickly with high accuracy.
I tried to help you identify your tall plant looks like dandelion. I provided you a list of the 5 tall dandelion like plants with their images, names, and even more. In addition, I introduced one of the best free online plant identification tools (the “House Plant Identifier) that can help you with this issue.
Did you know other tall plants that look like a dandelion that weren’t mentioned above? Did you win in identifying it with the plant identifiers? What was its name? please share your experiences and ideas 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.