Taraxacum officinale (F.H. Wigg)
Known as “The Common Dandelion”.
Family: Asteraceae.
The Dandelion is native to Europe and Asia and was introduced into North America from Europe.
The Common Dandelion is a perennial plant, which emerges from seed and the root develops into a perennial taproot system, that preserves over the winter months.
Ideally when temperatures reach around 10 centigrade (50 Fahrenheit) the plants will start to develop from seed. The seedlings will emerge from a soil depth of less than an inch. (2.5cm).
Dandelion plants thrive on soils rich in potassium and nitrogen, preferring soils low in calcium, does not like soils high in phosphorus conditions, which can be caused by the poor decay of organic matter.
Each dandelion plant has up to ten flower heads, each producing between 150 to 200 seedlings (known as “Pappus seedlings” (that look like upturned umbrellas), these are dispersed by the wind). So, on average,15000 seeds per plant, which can be dispersed over vast distances, as the pappus seedlings are ideally shaped to fly in the updrafts of the wind’s undercurrents. The seed does not lie dormant and will germinate immediately in the same year, given reasonable soil conditions.
Dandelion plants can become invasive, when given ideal soil conditions, it captures space and although not competitive for light, it will however take a lot of moisture and nutrients from the ground.
The common dandelion is an herb native to Europe, the whole of the plant is edible (flower, leaves and roots) and has been used for various infections, but little evidence supports its effectiveness against certain ailments.
These being: Decreasing swelling on parts of the body, increasing urine production by preventing crystals from forming in the urine, that could lead to infections entering the Kidneys and urinary tract.
Dandelions are one of the most vital early nectar sources, for a wide host of insect pollinators.