Dandelion flower (3rd of 8 images). Close-up of the flower head of a dandelion, Taraxacum officinale. The dandelion flower head is formed from many tiny yellow flowers, or florets, attached to its centre. Surrounding the florets is a layer of erect inner bracts (green, at centre), which protected them in the bud. The other outer bract layer is at lower centre. Dandelions are short perennial plants which grow in grassy areas and waste ground, and flower mainly between April and June. See photos B539/035-042 for the sequence of development from flower bud to seed dispersal.