Dandelion Taraxacum agg.
 
Family - Asteraceae
Perennial –a basal rosette of leaves, flowers up to 25cm high.
Flowering – May to October
Soils – any soil
Sun – full sun or partial shade
 
 
 
 
The dandelion is probably our most recognisable wildflower, with its familiar rosette of basal leaves above a long stout tap-root, and soft flower stems that ooze a milky sap when damaged. The flowers are a bright yellow, and its classic seedhead ‘clock’ is an excellent design for wind dispersal. It will grow in almost any conditions, it is common in pastures, lawns, orchards, hay fields, waste ground and roadsides. It was named by the French as "dent de lion", meaning the lions tooth, which refers to the shape of the leaves. It was first described in Britain by Turner in 1588, "Dan de lyon -- groweth everywhere".1.
 
Botanically, dandelions as a group are made of of possibly hundreds of "micro-species" almost impossible to tell apart. This is why the "species" has the tag "agg" for "aggregate" appended, although it is often named Taraxacum officinale.
 
The dandelion has the unfortunate tale attached to it that if you pick it, it will lead to bedwetting, and this belief has led to to many local names such as pissenlit in France, pee-beds in Cumbria, wet the bed in Stockport, Greater Manchester and pissimire in Humberside. It does however have other local names such as Devil’s milk-pail in Somerset, dog posy in Lancashire and Yorkshire and wild william in Scotland.2.
 
In traditional medicine, it was used for its opening and cleansing qualities, so very effective for removing obstructions of the liver, gall bladder and spleen, and diseases arising from these such as jaundice.3. The young leaves are edible and loaded with vitamins and antioxidants, the roots can be ground into a (quite tasty) coffee substitute, and the flowers can be made into wine (just leave some for the wildlife). Historically, its sap was said to cure warts, while a tea made using its leaves was supposed to help calm stomach aches. Herbalists apparently still use dandelions to treat skin conditions, asthma, low blood pressure, poor circulation, ulcers, constipation, colds and hot flushes.4.
 
The early appearance of the dandelion provides a much needed source of nectar for emerging bumble bees hoverflies, butterflies and solitary bees. The flower head or capitulum of a dandelion is actually made up of lots of individual flowers known as florets or ray flowers. Each have stamens with pollen, nectar and a single petal. This is a key feature in daisies (in the same family) and is part of the reason why they are so vital to pollinating insects.  With continuous flowering through spring and summer, each floret provides pollen and nectar and therefore a near continuous supply of food for visiting insects.5. 
 
Ths plant is known to be food for well over 100 insect herbivores, including many geometrid, noctuid and tiger moths, and is the host plant for 14 species of Idaea, small and delicate "wave" moths.6.
 
With its ability to grow from a fragment of root, or its propensity to disperse seeds far and wide, it is one of the most common garden gatecrashers known, and a master of survival.
 
References
 
1.  Pearman, D. (2017). The Discovery of the Native Flora of Britain and Ireland, A compilation of the first records for 1670 species and aggregates, covering Great Britain, Ireland, The Channel Isles and the Isle of Man. Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland. p393
 
2. Vickery, R. (2019). Vickery’s Folk Flora, An A to Z of the Folklore and Uses of British and Irish Plants. Weidenfeld & Nicolson. London. p199
 
3. Culpeppers Colour Herbal W Foulsham & Company Ltd London P56
 
4. Scottish Wildlife Trust
 
5. Guardian article 12 May 2015
 
6.  Biological Records Centre database 
 
 
Page written by Alison Vitale-Newman, compiled by Steve Head
The dandelion is probably our most recognisable wildflower, with its familiar rosette of basal leaves above a long stout tap-root, and soft flower stems that ooze a milky sap when damaged. The flowers are a bright yellow, and its classic seedhead ‘clock’ is an excellent design for wind dispersal. It will grow in almost any conditions, it is common in pastures, lawns, orchards, hay fields, waste ground and roadsides. It was named by the French as "dent de lion", meaning the lions tooth, which refers to the shape of the leaves. It was first described in Britain by Turner in 1588, "Dan de lyon -- groweth everywhere".1.
 
Botanically, dandelions as a group are made of of possibly hundreds of "micro-species" almost impossible to tell apart. This is why the "species" has the tag "agg" for "aggregate" appended, although it is often namedTaraxacum officinale.
 
The dandelion has the unfortunate tale attached to it that if you pick it, it will lead to bedwetting, and this belief has led to to many local names such as pissenlit in France, pee-beds in Cumbria, wet the bed in Stockport, Greater Manchester and pissimire in Humberside. It does however have other local names such as Devil’s milk-pail in Somerset, dog posy in Lancashire and Yorkshire and wild william in Scotland.2.
 
In traditional medicine, it was used for its opening and cleansing qualities, so very effective for removing obstructions of the liver, gall bladder and spleen, and diseases arising from these such as jaundice.3. The young leaves are edible and loaded with vitamins and antioxidants, the roots can be ground into a (quite tasty) coffee substitute, and the flowers can be made into wine (just leave some for the wildlife). Historically, its sap was said to cure warts, while a tea made using its leaves was supposed to help calm stomach aches. Herbalists apparently still use dandelions to treat skin conditions, asthma, low blood pressure, poor circulation, ulcers, constipation, colds and hot flushes.4.
 
The early appearance of the dandelion provides a much needed source of nectar for emerging bumble bees hoverflies, butterflies and solitary bees. The flower head or capitulum of a dandelion is actually made up of lots of individual flowers known as florets or ray flowers. Each have stamens with pollen, nectar and a single petal. This is a key feature in daisies (in the same family) and is part of the reason why they are so vital to pollinating insects.  With continuous flowering through spring and summer, each floret provides pollen and nectar and therefore a near continuous supply of food for visiting insects.5. 
 
Ths plant is known to be food for well over 100 insect herbivores, including many geometrid, noctuid and tiger moths, and is the host plant for 14 species of Idaea, small and delicate "wave" moths.6.
 
With its ability to grow from a fragment of root, or its propensity to disperse seeds far and wide, it is one of the most common garden gatecrashers known, and a master of survival.
 
References
 
1.  Pearman, D. (2017). The Discovery of the Native Flora of Britain and Ireland, A compilation of the first records for 1670 species and aggregates, covering Great Britain, Ireland, The Channel Isles and the Isle of Man. Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland. p393
 
2. Vickery, R. (2019). Vickery’s Folk Flora, An A to Z of the Folklore and Uses of British and Irish Plants. Weidenfeld & Nicolson. London. p199
 
3. Culpeppers Colour Herbal W Foulsham & Company Ltd London P56
 
4. Scottish Wildlife Trust
 
5. Guardian article 12 May 2015
 
6.  Biological Records Centre database 
 
 
Page written by Alison Vitale-Newman, compiled by Steve Head
Dandelion Taraxacum agg.
 
Family - Asteraceae
Perennial –a basal rosette of leaves, flowers up to 25cm high.
Flowering – May to October
Soils – any soil
Sun – full sun or partial shade
 
 
 
 
           Garden Wildplants
        Garden Wildplants