A dandelion is a flower. Its scientific name is Taraxacum, a large genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. "Taraxacum" are native to Eurasia, and have been widely introduced to North and South America and other continents. They are an invasive species in some areas. Two species, "T. officinale" and "T. erythrospermum", are found as weeds worldwide. All parts of both species are edible.