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I've always wondered about dandelion evolution and mowing. Do you know of any studies done on this?


No! And it needs to be done! I've lived in only a couple of places, and the genetic variety of dandelion (dent-de-lion?) is marvelous. When I grew up they were small modestly sized plants. Then the mowing thing, and a 2nd form of flat plants. Moved to California, they were 4' tall with greyish-green dusty leaves. Moved to an acreage in Iowa, all over the fallow field one year they were bushes about 18" high with 100 blooms - you could have sold them in a garden shop for landscaping!

Mendel should have used dandelions for his gene studies, there is lots more to see!


Meh, there are plenty more cracks in sidewalks, open fields, and poorly kept yards than there are mowed lawns. Dandelion evolution probably isn't optimizing for mowed lawns any time soon.





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