Summary: MNEMONIC NOTE: This plant is 1 of 3 in this course that have the word “lion” in the nickname (Lion’s Paw, Dead-The-Lion, Lion’s Boat). All 3 resemble or is the Dandelion and are distinguished, from one another, by their leaves. The leaves are then the springboard to their perspective mnemonics. So... What’s the first thing to do when you see a lion in the area? Leave (leaf)! That means: When you see a lion immediately look at the leaves. PRE-MNEMONIC: When you see a lion in the field immediately leave the area. Leaf teeth/lobes that generally point down (toward the center of the rosette) lets you know that you might have the Dead-The-Lion plant. MNEMONIC EXPLAINED: The full mnemonic is in it’s nickname (Dead-The-Lion). The nickname was chosen to help identify this most recognizable plant (Dandelion) in it’s least recognizable rosette stage (just leaves; no stems or flowers). The rosette leaves are so deeply lobed that they are compared to lion’s teeth. The word "dead" reminds us that the teeth/lobes point downward (towards the leaf base); rendering the lion harmless/dead. Look-alikes (not are poisonous) have teeth/lobes that point outward or upward.
