Title: Nature Notes - Autumnal Hawkbit (Leontodon autumnalis)

There are lots of flowers we call dandelions and many, of course, are not! They may have yellow dandelion flower heads and turn into dandelion clocks but they are not dandelions. The challenge is telling them apart.I am not a botanist but by applying some basic principles identification of these tough species (thistles are another one) becomes a little bit easier.Firstly, some species are more common than others and this is a good starting point because you are, statistically, more likely to see a common species than a rare one. Then, time of year and habitat play a role.This species, autumnal hawkbit is very common in the later months of summer and into autumn, hence its name, and can be found in all sorts of habitat but it really loves places where it has little competition, especially grassy banks and even lawns.