Dandelion
Taraxacum officinalis, commonly known as a Dandelion, amongst Crocuses, Hyacinths and Muscari, is one of the first flowering plants in our gardens.
It is a British native plant, usually found on the side of the roads, in verges and between paving slabs. In garden situations it is usually found growing in lawns.
Dandelion’s big, yellow, daisy like flowers bloom from March till October. They are built from many tiny flowers, which are tightly packed together. These flowers, in botany are known as composite, and are a rich source of pollen for insects.
The dandelion’s perfectly round seed heads are built of many tiny parachute-like seeds, which with the help of the wind, are dispersed long distances away from the mother plant.
The name of the plant comes from the French Dent de lion and means Lion’s tooth. This name might also reflect the margin of the plant’s leaf, which resembles teeth.
Dandelion plants are worth keeping in gardens because they are beneficial for insects, especially in the early spring months, when there are not that many other flowering plants on which insects could feed.
Dandelions are also good for the soil - their long, strong tap roots work as a soil aerator. Moreover, Dandelion’s tap root brings the nutrients from deeper layers of soil up to the surface, making these nutrients available for the surrounding plants.
Apart from having positive impact on the flora and fauna in gardens, dandelions can be used to augment our culinary repertoire. The young leaves of dandelion are often used in salads, where roots can be used to make a drink. Both parts are packed with vitamins and minerals.
Dandelion is a great plant to keep in our gardens. Their sunny looking flowers bring much needed colour and joy into our early spring gardens. They help feed beneficial insects as well as improve the health of the soil.
These benefits should make us reassess the widely held idea that dandelions are weeds.