Common Dandelion (Leaf)
Taking my usual stroll through the neighborhood, wondering what species I hadn't noticed yet, I came upon this leaf. It looked familiar, and it wasn't long before I realized it was part of the dandelion plant. I had not realized their leaves/roots stayed around like this into fall, although it is visibly deteriorating.
I decided to research this plant because I am a believer that weeds are beautiful and purposeful. They make Juneau spring flash into life with color and unfortunately, quite a bit of pollen. However, I always await their appearance and am saddened when I see large industrial grassmowers cutting them down. It's a good thing they're so persistent!
The common dandelion's scientific name is taraxacum officinale. These weeds, or flowers, or whatever you wish to call them, have a deep-rooted history on many continents, dating all the way back to the Ice Age (Wilkinson, Kershaw, & Cotterill). They were used in Ancient Rome, Greece, Egypt, and Asia. Dandelions likely came to America in the 1600s with the first Europeans (Sanchez). It is also likely that dandelions were brought intentionally since their flowers and roots have a wide variety of uses. Dandelions do not actually need pollinators to carry on, but undergo the process of apomixis where the "female parts of the flowers develop seeds on their own" (Dandelion). This is why they are able to spread rapidly bringing forth plants that are clones, or identical to their parents.
Dandelions are safe to eat and use medicinally, apart from potential allergies. It is full of "vitamins A, B, C, and D" and various minerals (Dandelion). Some use the leaves in salads, teas, wines, and even coffee substitutes, which I would love to try. Medicinally, dandelion roots and leaves have been utilized to fight against liver, kidney, skin, heart, and stomach issues, as well as inflammation, fever, and diarrhea (Dandelion).
Works Cited
Dandelion. Mount Sinai Health System. (n.d.). https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/dandelion
Sanchez, A. (2021, October 5). Ten things you might not know about dandelions. Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners. https://www.mofga.org/resources/weeds/ten-things-you-might-not-know-about-dandelions/
Wilkinson, S., Kershaw, L., & Cotterill, P. (2002). PDF. Alberta. https://anpc.ab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/dandelion.pdf
Comments
Hey, Lera! I am surprised to see that the leaves of the plant are still green with how cold it has been at night throughout the region. I did some random research on dandelions earlier this semester and they are definitely built to survive. As you said, I find it a bummer as well when they get cut down because, even though they are considered weeds, they have some real environmental (pro-pollinator) and health benefits. On a personal note, my mom has many stories about growing up in an impoverished area and they used to eat dandelion greens when there wasn’t much else to be harvested so these tough plants are very useful in my eyes. Thanks for sharing!
Wow! I never realized that dandelions could be so beneficial. I always thought of them as a sort of nuance because they never stop spreading and always end up in my vegetable or flower planters. They also attract a lot of bees, which is both good and bad, good because they pollinate my strawberries, but bad for relaxing on a porch, and a bee jump scares me. I don't hate bees, but I don't like wasps, and bees sound like wasps, so it scares me. I knew you could eat dandelions, but I didn't realize they provided so many vitamins. I also don't like it when dandelions are cut down, but I usually only see it done on highways, and I thought it was to discourage bees from being killed by cars on roads. Thanks for teaching so much about dandelions and their uses this week.
I agree with you that dandelions make spring time in Juneau so colorful! Especially along roadsides, the bold yellow is very uplifting and I have always wondered why people are so insistent on ridding their yard of the plant. I knew these plants were excellent at spreading and pollinating, but I did not know why they were able to do that. I'm now interested in what other plants undergo the process of apomixis! I'm also surprised that this leaf has remained looking so green this late into fall. I wonder how the plants prepare themselves for winter and I also wonder what random leaves we spot during this time of year might be part of other plants. Thank you for sharing!
Lera;
Dandelions are my favorite flowers, and I have always identified with them as being me. When each of my children joined my family, I sensed a flower or plant they would like so I could nurture them accordingly. For example, my firstborn girl was a rose; she would be beautiful and extraordinary, but I need to teach her about her thorns and so on with each child. I am a dandelion. I am wild; when I was young, I was bright and sunny, and when I was cut down, I only grew back just a little shorter so the mower blades couldn't touch me. I have nurtured many people along the way, just as dandelions do. Most people are unaware of what I have given and have an illness that makes people think I am nothing more than a weed. I am much more like the dandelion.
I have all my dandelions mapped out around my house because if something happens in the middle of the winter, their roots are still there, and you can cook them like potatoes. I always have the first leaves of the season as a salad to celebrate the spring. They are the longest of all weeds to show their bright flowers. They follow the sun throughout the day and close when the sun sets. I've made wine with their flowers, which is very delicious.
I was glad you found that it was around the 1600s that dandelions came to the US. Though they were brought here, it wasn't long before the Native Americans learned their goodness. Our third president started growing lawns and decided he didn't like the dandelion. In Ireland, it is now against the law to mow wild flowers until late June and early July to help the bees pollinate, and because dandelions have more pollen than the average flower, the bees love them.
Again, thank you!
Gayleen
Hi Lera – I just love dandelions! Its easy to look down on them as a nuisance because they are a weed, but I agree that they really brighten up spring. I didn’t realize that they were such a big contributor to pollen. I think they are my favorite in the fall when you can pick them and blow their white seeds in to the wind, my son loves picking them for the same reason. I didn’t realize such a common weed could have so many uses. I think I’ve heard of dandelion salad but not about wine, coffee substitutes or vitamins. Who would have thought a weed could be so useful and important!
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