Mongolian Dandelion

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Mongolian Dandelion

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Taraxacum mongolicum var. formosanum
• Taraxacum huhhoticum
• Taraxacum hondae
• Taraxacum liaotungense
• Taraxacum liaotungense f. lobulatum
• Taraxacum formosanum
• Taraxacum hangchouense
• Taraxacum kansuense
• Taraxacum argute-denticulatum
• Taraxacum pseudodissectum
• Taraxacum quelpaertense

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further categorized under the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. Finally, the medicinal species is placed within the genus Taraxacum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical range across the vast landscapes of Siberia. It can be found growing in the rugged terrains of the Altai region. Its presence is also well-documented throughout the territory of Buryatia. Furthermore, the species extends its habitat into the eastern areas of Chita. Finally, the plant is distributed as far north as the expansive region of Yakutia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Taraxacum mongolicum is characterized by its adaptability to diverse environments, frequently colonizing disturbed or open areas such as gardens and stony places. It thrives in locations where soil stability may be minimal, often finding a foothold in rocky terrains or crevices where competition from denser vegetation is limited. This ability to inhabit stony landscapes suggests a resilience to nutrient-poor or well-drained substrates, allowing it to occupy ecological niches that are often bypassed by more sensitive plant species. By establishing itself in both cultivated garden settings and more rugged, stony habitats, the plant demonstrates a broad ecological plasticity that facilitates its survival across varying degrees of human intervention and natural geological complexity.

Habitat :

garden,stonyplaces

Life history

The life history of Taraxacum mongolicum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. As a perennial, it establishes a robust root system that enables the plant to survive dormant periods and regrow annually. Its developmental trajectory involves the seasonal emergence of basal rosettes of leaves, which capture solar energy to fuel the production of flowering stalks. Once mature, the plant undergoes a reproductive phase marked by the production of bright yellow composite flower heads. Following successful pollination, these flowers transition into a fruiting stage where wind-dispersed achenes are released to colonize new habitats. This multi-year life cycle provides the species with a competitive advantage in its natural environment, ensuring long-term survival and the ability to recover from seasonal stresses.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Taraxacum mongolicum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. It is a terrestrial species, existing independently without any parasitic or epiphytic dependencies, and does not exhibit climbing habits, remaining entirely self-supporting. As a non-woody plant, its structure is typical of herbaceous perennials, lacking the lignified tissues found in shrubs or trees.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Taraxacum mongolicum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in its natural habitat. Its morphological physiology is defined by a runcinate leaf form, featuring a distinct shape that influences its surface area and light interception capabilities. The leaf margins are finely toothed, contributing to the structural complexity of the foliage, while the plant lacks specialized defensive structures such as leaf thorns or leaf spines, indicating a physiological reliance on other mechanisms for protection rather than mechanical deterrents.

Leaf form :

runcinate

Leaf margin :

finely toothed

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Taraxacum mongolicum is characterized by a distinct seasonal flowering cycle and specific seed characteristics. The flowering period typically begins in May and extends through July, though the exact timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. Following the pollination phase, the plant produces seeds that possess a mean mass of 0.0733 g, facilitating its dispersal and subsequent propagation.

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jul

Seed mass mean:

0.0733 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Taraxacum mongolicum has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root.

Leaf

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Root

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Taraxacum mongolicum has 40 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Chicoric acid, Taraxasterol, caffeic acid, luteolin.

Flavonoids

1. Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. International journal of biological macromolecules
4. Frontiers in immunology
5. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences

Chicoric acid

1. Plant biotechnology journal
2. BMC genomics
3. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences

Taraxasterol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. BMC genomics

caffeic acid

1. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

luteolin

1. Plant biotechnology journal
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

polyphenols

1. Frontiers in immunology
2. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences

quercetin

1. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

ARSENIC

1. Dr. Duke

Abscisic acid (ABA)

1. BMC genomics

Anthocyanins

1. Plant biotechnology journal

Activities

Taraxacum mongolicum has 185 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antitumor, Hepatoprotective, Hypoglycemic, ACE-Inhibitor.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
4. Food chemistry

Antitumor

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
2. BMC genomics

Hepatoprotective

1. Dr. Duke
2. International journal of biological macromolecules

Hypoglycemic

1. Dr. Duke
2. International journal of biological macromolecules

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Alcohol-Dehydrogenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

Anorexic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiBPH

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Taraxacum mongolicum has 16 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include hyperlipidemia, acute lung injury, anti-oxidant, benign prostatic hyperplasia, constipation.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations