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From its bright yellow flowers to its wish giving seeds, everyone knows the dandelion. This sun-loving flower, that is native to Greece, grows wherever it can find a place in the sun. The name dandelion is derived from the French dent de lion, which refers to the odd shapes of the leaves. There are many names for this popular flower such as Irish daisy, blow ball, lion’s tooth, swine snort and many more.
Dandelion blossoms are round and singular, with little golden-yellow petals surrounding the middle. They bloom in the early spring until well into autumn. After a dandelion blooms, the flower develops a round cluster of seed cases. With as many as 200-seed cases on the flower, it forms the characteristic puffball. Each seed case has a white, feathery tuft to help carry it into the wind. Dandelion roots may be fat, and reach as deep as 1.5 feet in healthy soil. The dandelion can regrow from root parts left in the ground during harvest season.
The dandelion might be thought of as a weed or a wish maker, but it has far more uses than that. The early colonists brought the herb to North America. The natives recognized the value of the plant and used it for its medical and nutritious benefits. The entire plant is primarily used as a tonic, particularly as a liver tonic. The juice taken from the stem and leaves is the most important part of the plant for medical purposes. The juice has been used to get rid of warts and soothe calluses, bee stings, or sores. Many people may know the dandelion for its wish making or yellow flowers, but what few people know is that it is a safe and nutritious herb used throughout the world.