<P> Taraxacum (/ təˈræksəkʊm /) is a large genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, which consists of species commonly known as dandelions . They are native to Eurasia and North America, but the two commonplace species worldwide, T. officinale and T. erythrospermum, were introduced from Europe and now propagate as wildflowers . Both species are edible in their entirety . The common name dandelion (/ ˈdændɪlaɪ. ən / DAN - di - ly - ən, from French dent - de-lion, meaning "lion's tooth") is given to members of the genus . Like other members of the Asteraceae family, they have very small flowers collected together into a composite flower head . Each single flower in a head is called a floret . In part due to their abundance along with being a generalist species, dandelions are one of the most vital early spring nectar sources for a wide host of pollinators . Many Taraxacum species produce seeds asexually by apomixis, where the seeds are produced without pollination, resulting in offspring that are genetically identical to the parent plant . </P> <P> The species of Taraxacum are tap - rooted, perennial, herbaceous plants, native to temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere . The genus contains many species, which usually (or in the case of triploids, obligately) reproduce by apomixis, resulting in many local populations and endemism . In the British Isles alone, 234 microspecies are recognised in 9 loosely defined sections, of which 40 are "probably endemic". </P> <P> In general, the leaves are 5--25 cm long or longer, simple, lobed, and form a basal rosette above the central taproot . The flower heads are yellow to orange coloured, and are open in the daytime, but closed at night . The heads are borne singly on a hollow stem (scape) that is usually leafless and rises 1--10 cm or more above the leaves . Stems and leaves exude a white, milky latex when broken . A rosette may produce several flowering stems at a time . The flower heads are 2--5 cm in diameter and consist entirely of ray florets . The flower heads mature into spherical seed heads called blowballs or clocks (in both British and American English) containing many single - seeded fruits called achenes . Each achene is attached to a pappus of fine hairs, which enable wind - aided dispersal over long distances . </P> <P> The flower head is surrounded by bracts (sometimes mistakenly called sepals) in two series . The inner bracts are erect until the seeds mature, then flex downward to allow the seeds to disperse . The outer bracts are often reflexed downward, but remain appressed in plants of the sections Palustria and Spectabilia . Some species drop the parachute from the achenes; the hair - like parachutes are called pappus, and they are modified sepals . Between the pappus and the achene is a stalk called a beak, which elongates as the fruit matures . The beak breaks off from the achene quite easily, separating the seed from the parachute . </P>

A dandelion seed has this kind of structure
find me the text answering this question