The Russian dandelion, scientifically known as Taraxacum kok-saghyz (TKS), is a plant species under intense study as a potential source of natural rubber. This perennial herb, native to the high mountain plateaus of Central Asia, produces a milky fluid called latex within its roots. The latex contains cis-1,4-polyisoprene, the same high-quality compound found in commercial natural rubber. Since this valuable material is otherwise sourced almost entirely from a single tropical tree species, TKS has become a subject of renewed global interest.
Identifying the Russian Dandelion
Taraxacum kok-saghyz shares the familiar yellow composite flower of its close relative, the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), but exhibits distinct morphological differences. The Russian dandelion typically has a smaller overall stature and its leaves display a characteristic grayish-green color. Unlike the deeply lobed and jagged leaves of T. officinale, TKS leaves are more cuneate (wedge-shaped) with nearly smooth margins.
A defining feature of the Russian dandelion is the presence of small, hornlike structures on the bracts surrounding its flower bud. The plant’s value lies beneath the soil, where the latex is stored within specialized, tube-like cells known as laticifers. These laticifer cells are concentrated primarily in the plant’s taproot, which can grow to a substantial size.
This root-based storage mechanism distinguishes it from the tapping process used to collect latex from tropical rubber trees. Rubber content in TKS roots ranges from 5% in wild plants to 15% in specialized varieties, measured by dry weight. Harvesting the entire root to extract the latex presents unique challenges for large-scale mechanical cultivation and processing.
The Origin of Russian Dandelion Rubber
The discovery of Taraxacum kok-saghyz as a rubber source began in the Soviet Union during the 1930s. Soviet botanists located the plant in Kazakhstan in 1932 while searching for a domestic supply of natural rubber. The goal was to reduce the nation’s reliance on foreign imports.
This initial research led to the large-scale cultivation of TKS across the Soviet Union between 1931 and 1950. By 1940, Soviet scientists had developed varieties yielding 15% rubber content by dry weight. The species became important during World War II, particularly after the Japanese military cut off Allied access to Hevea brasiliensis plantations in Southeast Asia.
The United States and its Allies initiated the “Emergency Rubber Project” (ERP) in response to the global resource shortage. TKS was cultivated in 28 U.S. states and Canada between 1942 and 1945. The wartime program demonstrated that the Russian dandelion was a viable source of natural rubber whose properties were comparable to the traditional Hevea product.
Current Viability as a Sustainable Rubber Source
The modern reappraisal of the Russian dandelion is driven by increasing supply chain insecurity surrounding the traditional rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis. Relying on a single tropical species, which is vulnerable to fungal diseases, presents a significant risk to the global supply of natural rubber. TKS offers a solution by providing a high-quality rubber source that can be cultivated in temperate regions, diversifying both the geography and biology of production.
Current research is heavily focused on improving the plant’s agronomic fitness and maximizing its rubber yield. Genetic sequencing and breeding programs have been used to select for traits such as larger root size and higher rubber concentration. Scientists are also employing genetic engineering techniques, such as CRISPR-Cas9, to modify genes involved in inulin synthesis, which can divert more resources toward rubber production.
The principal challenge for commercialization remains the mechanical harvesting and efficient extraction of rubber from the root system. Unlike the simple tapping of a Hevea tree, TKS requires the entire root to be harvested and processed through a complex extraction method. Developing cost-effective, mechanized agricultural processes that can handle a root crop and scale production is the focus of major industrial partners, including tire manufacturers.
Companies are investing in new facilities to transition from laboratory-scale experiments to commercial production, with plans to significantly increase cultivation area. The economic viability of TKS is enhanced by the presence of a co-product, the carbohydrate inulin, which makes up a substantial portion of the root mass. After the rubber is extracted, the remaining inulin can be converted into bioethanol or used for other non-food applications, creating a valuable secondary revenue stream and contributing to a sustainable, zero-waste model of cultivation.