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Why are dandelion flower heads classified as ligulate?

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English daisies — Asterales True, or English, daisy (*Bellis perennis*).

Dandelion flower heads are classified as ligulate because they consist entirely of a specific type of floret known as a ligulate flower.1

In the family Asteraceae, flower heads are categorized based on the types of florets they contain. A ligulate head is composed exclusively of ligulate flowers, which are perfect (bisexual) and feature a corolla that is tubular at the base and extends into a flat, strap-shaped projection called a ligule. This ligule is formed by all five lobes of the corolla and typically displays five terminal teeth.1

While other types of heads—such as radiate heads—contain a mix of disk flowers and ray flowers, the ligulate head is distinct because of its uniformity. This classification is almost entirely restricted to the tribe Lactuceae (also known as Cichorieae), of which the dandelion is a member.1