“The strongest and most mysterious weeds often have things to teach us.”
― F.T. McKinstry, Ascarion
Thinking of my favorite friend the dandelion. The Latin name Taraxacum originates in medieval Persian writings on pharmacy. It goes by many common names but the word “dandelion” comes for the old French word for the flower, dent de lion, meaning “lion’s tooth”.
When you were a child did you like to play with dandelions? Putting them under your chin to see if you like butter. Or the most fun, waiting till they have gone to seed and are whitish gray puffs. You would pick them, making a wish and try to blow all the little parachute like seeds off. If you got them off in one blow your wish would come true.
Dandelions have a long history with humans and were not always considered weeds. Actually, they were imported to the United states from Europe, as a source of greens for salad. The younger leaves are less bitter and the flowers have a mild bittersweet flavor. They are tasty blanched or sauteed. Dandelions are reported to have more beta-carotene than carrots. In herbal medicine, they are know for treating infections, liver problems and as a diuretic. And you have probably heard of dandelion wine.

from website Nature Watch
Dandelions are also important plants for the northern hemisphere bee population providing both pollen and nectar. The seeds are important to certain types of birds. It is useful in the garden as its long taproot can bring nutrients up for shallower-rooted plants. Dandelions also adds nitrogen and minerals to the soil.
Here is a fun website dedicated to Dandelion Folklore.
Perhaps I will seed my lawn with dandelions next spring!
Of course I love this, Laurin! The cemetary in Toronto where my father-in-law is buried is absolutely full of dandelions. At the funeral, there were thousands of dandelion ‘clocks’, as far as the eye could see. They were both poignant, with their sense of time passing, and hopeful, as all those seeds blew away on the wind…
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That is a lovely visual and nice memory!
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My neighbor has a section where she grows some gourmet variety of dandelions in her vegetable garden. The leaves are HUGE and that area look lush and magnificent.
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Sounds interesting…will try and research them : )
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And the French common name for them: ‘ pisse- en- lit’ is a reminder of their diuretic qualities! I hope the name is an exaggeration.
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That is funny : )
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Laurin, it was lovely meeting you in Austin. I’m so glad to make your acquaintance. As for dandelions, they are some of the most misunderstood plants out there. Americans spend an exorbitant amount of money trying to eradicate them from our lawns, and poison the environment besides. I let the dandelions grow here along with the clover. They don’t cause me much trouble. I do pull them from the garden.~~Dee
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Dee, I was so happy to hear you were coming to Austin the weekend we were there for the Garden Writers Photo class. I love your book! And it is wonderful to meet like minded people. Looking forward to chatting more in Portland : )
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