In build 228, the lexicon says this about the Dandelifeon - "Whenever any live cells are absorbed by the 3x3 zone in the center, all other cells in the board die".

That is only true for cells with age greater than 1. If a cell in the 3x3 zone has a age of 0 or 1 then it is destroyed (without generating mana) but the board is not wiped.

I've tested this with the following setups:

• An age 0 cell which would naturally die off in the next game step. For example:

  .O.                    F  = Dandelifeon
  .F.                    O  = Age zero cell
  ...                    . = Empty space
  

• An age 0 cell which would naturally live to the next step.

  .O.
  O.O
  .O.
  .F.
  ...
  

• Some age 0 cells just outside the 3x3 zone which would create an age 1 cell inside the 3x3 on the next step.

  OOO
  ...
  .F.
  ...
  

In all cases the result is the same - The cell inside the 3x3 is destroyed (or not created), no mana is generated, but the board is not wiped.