Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
Common Names of Dandelion:
Wee-the-Bed, Wet-the-Bed, Bitterwort, Clockflower, Blowflower, Blowball, Irish Daisy, Lion's Tooth, Yellow Gowan, Puffball, Swine's Snout, Piss-the-Bed, Priest' Crown, Common Dandelion, Cankerwort, Telltime.
Scientific Name Meaning - Dandelion:
The scientific name Taraxacum is derived from the Greek "Taraxis," meaning disorder, and "Akos," referring to a remedy. Officinale is Latin, meaning "an office, monastery, or pharmacy," alluding to places where medicines were stored. The species name is an aggregate covering over 200 Dandelion species in the UK.
Season - Dandelion:
All year.
Habitat of Dandelion:
Native to Europe and parts of Asia, introduced to Australasia, the Americas, and other parts of Asia. Found in gardens, parks, lawns, roadsides, waysides, meadows, fields, orchards, and woodlands.
Description of Dandelion:
Dark green, deeply lobed leaves form a basal rosette. Clean flower stalks emerge with a single yellow many-petalled flower, turning into a seed "clock." Older plants have a long tapering white root, while younger plants have thinner roots and rhizomes.
Possible Lookalikes of Dandelion:
Novices might find it challenging to distinguish Dandelion in seed or not in flower. It belongs to the aster family, like Hawkweeds, Hawk's Beards, Sow Thistles, and Goat's Beard, but Dandelion lacks leaves or flowers along its flower stalk.
Food Uses of Dandelion:
Leaves are peppery and used in salads, pesto, or cooked like dark leafy greens.
Unopened flower buds make excellent capers.
Flowers (petals with green parts removed) are sweet and used for jelly, tea, marmalade, cordial mead, syrup, wine and baked goods.
The root is used as a coffee substitute.
Nutrient-rich profile includes vitamins A, C, E, K, B6, beta-carotene, folate, thiamine, riboflavin, calcium, iron, potassium, and manganese.
Medicinal Uses of Dandelion:
Known for diuretic, antibiotic, laxative, tonic, and appetite-stimulant properties. Historically used for liver disorders, urinary disorders, heart problems, oedema, gout, eczema, acne, and indigestion. Sap is used for warts, verrucas, and corns.
Other Uses of Dandelion:
Dandelion is useful for gardeners; leaves and roots make plant feed, and roots produce a red-brown dye.
Hazards:
Reports suggest mild toxicity, but toxins are in low amounts. Excessive consumption might cause issues. Some may have contact allergies. Dandelion has diuretic qualities.
Harvesting Dandelion:
Harvest flowers later in the morning when fully open. Use a drying screen for flowers. Leaves are most tender in early spring. Roots are harvested in the fall.
Look-alikes of Dandelion:
Common look-alikes include Cat’s Ear (Hypochaeris radicata) and Sow Thistle (Sonchus spp.). Differences include stem characteristics and leaf features.