Chapter 1
The ultimate botanical survivalists
Chapter 2
The flying physics of the puffball
Chapter 3
From royal salads to bed-wetting teas
Chapter 4
Colonizing the globe on the Mayflower
Chapter 5
The high-tech future of the humble weed
Ch 1 · The ultimate botanical survivalists
futura Through a process called apomixis, a single dandelion produces genetically identical seeds to take over your yard without pollination
Fun Fact
Cloning masters: Every single common dandelion you see in your yard is a genetically identical clone of its parent, reproducing without needing any pollination at all!
Glossary
taproot (noun)
A main, central root that grows vertically downward and from which other lateral roots sprout. Dandelions can regenerate their entire structure from a broken root fragment as small as one inch.
A main, central root that grows vertically downward and from which other lateral roots sprout. Dandelions can regenerate their entire structure from a broken root fragment as small as one inch.
Quiz
What is the scientific term for the asexual seed production process dandelions use to clone themselves?
Quiz
Approximately how many individual florets can be packed into a single yellow dandelion head?
Quiz
What are the tiny individual flowers that make up a single yellow dandelion head called?