Dwarf Dandelion

The name Krigia oppositifolia Rafinesque, long in use for this species, was not accepted by Rafinesque in his original publication and is therefore invalid.

Annuals, 4–42 cm. taprooted. Stems erect or ascending, branched, eglandular or stipitate-glandular, especially distally. Leaves basal and cauline; petiolate (at least basal); blades broadly to narrowly oblanceolate, 2–15 cm, margins entire or remotely toothed or lobed, lobes acute or rounded, apices acute to obtuse, faces glabrous or lightly glandular-villous; cauline appearing unequal and opposite proximal to distal peduncles, petiolate or sessile, blades oblanceolate to linear, gradually reduced, bases ± clasping, margins entire or dentate. Heads borne singly. Peduncles from branching, leafy stems. Involucres 2–8 mm. Phyllaries 5–10, erect in fruit, narrowly to broadly lanceolate, midveins evident, not prominent or keeled, apices acute. Florets 12–35; corollas yellow, 2–11 mm (barely equaling to much surpassing phyllaries). Cypselae fusiform, 1.4–1.7 mm, broadest at or ± beyond middles (apical areas ± equal to basal areoles), 15-ribbed; pappi 0. 2n = 8.

Serinia cespitosa Rafinesque, Fl. Ludov., 149. 1817

Krigia cespitosa, known as common dwarf-dandelion, opposite-leaved dwarf-dandelion, or weedy dwarfdandelion, is a North American species of plant in the family Asteraceae . It is native to northeastern Mexico (Nuevo León) and to the southeastern and south-central United States, from Florida to Texas and north as far as southeastern Nebraska, southern Illinois, and central West Virginia

Krigia cespitosa is an annual herb up to 42 cm (16.8 inches) tall. One plant generally produces one flower head per flower stalk, each head with 12–35 yellow ray flowers but no disc flowers.