Dandelions
An image showing the different stages of a dandelion. Captured by one of our master gardeners
Plant of the Week March 28, 2022
Taraxacum officinale
By: Barbi Prodger, Anoka County Master Gardener
What could mark the Spring season more than bright yellow dandelions on your lawn?
Dandelions go by many names: lion's tooth, priest's crown, and swine's snout. The scientific name is Taraxacum officinale. They are in the Asteraceae family. Natives of Central Asia, experts believe dandelions came to North America by seed, possibly on the Mayflower. Dandelions are perennials that can survive anywhere. They grow in the lowlands up to 8,000 feet above sea level and thrive in Zones 3-10. Dandelions tolerate different soil conditions even poor and compact. My granddaughter loves to pick the seed heads and blow them in the wind. She does not realize that she is sending out an average of 5,000 seeds and helping to plant more.
Did you know that every part of the dandelion is edible? The flowers and roots can make tea, and use the leaves in a salad or add them to sandwiches or soups. Rabbits love eating them.
People use dandelions medicinally too. Typically for the digestive system, heart health, and even liver conditions. Dandelions are diuretics and increase appetite. The flowers have antioxidant properties. Dandelions are currently used in herbal supplements as a liver and gallbladder cleanse. Make sure to speak to your doctor before using any herbal remedies. They can interact with medications you may be taking.
There has been much debate over dandelions and pollinators. Some say dandelions are the first source of nectar and pollen in the spring for pollinators. Others say that tree pollen from maples, willows, and elms are the first source. According to Are Dandelions Really Important to Bees? - Garden Myths, bees resort to using dandelions when there are no other pollen sources available. Bees and butterflies still use the flowers for nectar though. Studies show that dandelions are an important source of food for our native bees. Birds, such as finches, eat dandelion seeds.
We should proudly allow them to grow in our yards along with other native sources of pollen and food.
IMAGE BY HG-FOTOGRAFIE FROM PIXABAY
Citations:
Adam Varenhorst. (2020, May 25). Why Those Dandelions in Your Yard Aren’t That Bad. Why Those Dandelions in Your Yard Aren’t That Bad. Retrieved March 1, 2022, from https://extension.sdstate.edu/why-those-dandelions-your-yard-arent-so-bad
BUZZABOUTBEES. (2021, April 30). Bees And Other Pollinators Love Dandelions - and birds like them too! Retrieved March 1, 2022, from https://www.buzzaboutbees.net/Bees-And-Other-Pollinators-Love-Dandelions.html
Dandelion - American Botanical Council. (n.d.). American Botanical Council. Retrieved March 1, 2022, from https://www.herbalgram.org/resources/herbalgram/issues/109/table-of-contents/hg109-herbpro-dandelion/?gclid=CjwKCAiApfeQBhAUEiwA7K_UH7yJdc0KgoxpSimjH1-TciWCziLVgywZJNqPtbFddSeWxockPvsu-BoCe44QAvD_BwE
Dekker, S. (2022, February 26). How to Grow and Harvest Dandelions for Greens, Roots, and Flowers. Gardener’s Path. Retrieved March 1, 2022, from https://gardenerspath.com/plants/flowers/grow-dandelion/
Hayes, R. F. (2019, May 3). Minnesota Master Gardener makes the case for dandelions. Star Tribune. Retrieved March 1, 2022, from https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-master-gardener-makes-the-case-for-dandelions/509445962/
Mount Sinai. (n.d.). Dandelion. Mount Sinai Health Library. Retrieved March 1, 2022, from https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/dandelion
Pavlis, R. (2021, May 18). Are Dandelions Really Important to Bees? Garden Myths. Retrieved March 1, 2022, from https://www.gardenmyths.com/dandelions-important-bees/