Identifying the Mystery Night-Blooming "Texas Dandelion"

A gardener sought help identifying a plant her mother grew from seeds labeled "Texas Dandelion." The plant produced pale yellow, 2–2.5-inch flowers that opened in the evening, had slender leaves, faint fragrance, formed seed pods, and spread to create new plants. Initial suggestions pointed to Pyrrhopappus carolinianus (Carolina desert-chicory), commonly called Texas dandelion, but it typically blooms in morning, not evening.

Night-Blooming Candidates

True night-blooming "dandelion-like" plants include:

• Oenothera species (Evening Primroses): Many open at dusk, have yellow flowers, and spread via seeds and rhizomes. Oenothera speciosa (pink evening primrose) and O. biennis (common evening primrose) are widespread.
• Mentzelia species (Blazing Stars): Some have pale yellow, night-opening flowers and dandelion-like foliage.
• Calylophus species: Formerly grouped with Oenothera, these have yellow, evening-opening blooms.

Search Strategies

To pinpoint the exact plant:

1. Search "night-blooming yellow wildflower [your state]" with images.
2. Check native plant societies: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center or state-specific sites.
3. Post photos (flowers, leaves, seed pods, habit) on forums like Garden.org or r/whatsthisplant.

The original "Texas Dandelion" name may be a regional common name for several species. Detailed photos of the flower structure, leaf arrangement, and seed heads are key to a definitive ID.