Leaves are crowed in a basal rosette, blades are simple and variously lobed. Blades may also be lightly pubescent, especially on the lower surfaces and mid-veins, and contains a milky substance. The most prominent feature is the flower head, which upon first opening contains a series of yellow ligulate flowers borne on a hollow pseudostem.
Dandelion is generally an apomictic plant and seed production normally occurs without pollination.
Seed production varies from 54 to 172 seeds per head and a single plant can produce more than 2000 seeds. Flowering peaks in early summer with a second flush of flowers from mid-September to early October. Some plants may flower any time during the growing season. Two patterns of flowering are found. In the early spring, flower heads remain open from sunrise to dusk, but in June to August, they close by noon.