Why are dandelions so successful plants despite being clones?

The short differing factor with animals is that plants are sessile - they can't move around to find mates - not without pollinators. So the cost of sex can be extremely high in plants. read more

So the cost of sex can be extremely high in plants. This answer applies more broadly for plants: because asexual reproduction, and similarly, inbreeding (which is even worse than cloning when it comes to diversity), are extremely common in the plant kingdom. read more

And if you think dandelions multiply so fast in your yard that they must be cloning themselves, you're right: this plant can reproduce regardless of whether its flowers have been pollinated. A dandelion can can regrow from just a portion of its taproot, which can reach two or three feet down to access water and nutrients. read more

Only one, given a little time. Dandelions tend to flower most abundantly in spring, but can re-flower in the fall, too. read more

"Dandelion" is an English corruption of the French name for this plant: "dent de lion" meaning "lion's tooth", a reference to the tooth-like serrations on the plant's leaves. It was known as lion's tooth in other Latin based languages in Europe, too, so the English corruption may have evolved separately numerous times. read more