Plant ID card |
|
|---|---|
Botanical name |
Taraxacum officinale. |
Common name |
Dandelion, dandelion, lion's tooth, monk's crown. |
Family |
Asteraceae. |
Origin |
Europe. |
Dimensions |
The dandelion measures 5 to 30 cm high and 15 to 30 cm wide. |
Foliage |
Dandelion leaves can reach 25 cm in length. They are cut into wide, deep points (hence their name lion's tooth) and assembled to form a large rosette. White latex leaks when stems or roots are cut. |
Bloom |
It takes place from April to September. What looks like a single large flower is a combination of several small ligulate flowers on a flower head (dish-shaped tray). These flowers have 5 orange-yellow petals. |
Fruiting |
The dandelion flowers give way to an achene with a pappus (toupe of hair) in the shape of an umbrella, also called an egret. These pappus allow the seeds to be dispersed with the wind (anemochoria). |
Exposure |
Sunny, sheltered from the wind. |
Ground |
Fresh, light, rich in humus and drained. |
Rusticity |
Very hardy, the dandelion resists cold temperatures down to -20°C. |
The name “dandelion” was identified as early as the 15th century and with it, its diuretic properties.
It literally comes from “wetting the bed” which suggested nocturnal incontinence!
What are the characteristics of the dandelion?
The dandelion is a very common plant everywhere in France except in the South where it is rarer.
It is often found
in the wild
in meadows and pastures given the ambient humidity and the richness of the soil's nutrients.
The dandelion feeds on nitrogenous elements rejected by livestock.
The name “dandelion” designates many species that are very close and sometimes difficult to distinguish.
The genus
Taraxacum
actually has
1200 species and subspecies
in Europe, divided into sections.
The common dandelion belongs to the
Ruderalia
section .
The particularity of the plant is that it has no stem (stem), the leaves developing from a single bud on the ground.
The dandelion is also a honey plant very popular with pollinating insects.
Where and when to plant dandelion?
Wild in nature, the dandelion can however be grown in the vegetable garden to be consumed or used in the composition of remedies.
Undemanding, it can grow in any soil with good drainage conditions.
Be sure to place it in the sun for good development.
Sow or plant
from March to June
.
According to the lunar calendar, it is recommended to sow dandelion seeds during the waxing moon to promote germination.
Dandelion can, however, be grown in the vegetable garden to be consumed or used in the composition of remedies.
Copyright (c) 2023 Maren Winter/Shutterstock.
No use without permission.
How to grow dandelion?
Sowing:
sow the dandelion seeds in place 1 cm deep and in rows 25 cm apart.
Water in a fine rain and keep moist until emergence.
After a fortnight, young shoots appear.
Thin them out by keeping the most vigorous ones and spacing them 15 cm apart;
Planting:
it is possible to replant wild dandelions that you have taken care to carefully extract from the ground with their roots in spring.
Cut the plants into 5 cm sections and plant them 5 cm deep, keeping a spacing of 15 cm between them.
Also read: Escarole: an essential winter salad
How to maintain dandelion?
The dandelion does not require any special maintenance because it is very resistant.
However, be sure to
weed well around the feet
by hoeing the surface regularly.
Also maintain fresh soil through regular watering without excess.
Harvest the leaves and flowers in spring (mid-April to mid-May) and the roots in early fall.
The dandelion does not require any special maintenance because it is very resistant.
Copyright (c) 2022 nkjunky/Shutterstock.
No use without permission.
How to propagate dandelion?
Dandelion propagation occurs naturally by spontaneous sowing.
However, you can harvest its seeds by removing the achenes before the egrets fly away.
Dry the seeds
for 2 to 3 weeks in a ventilated room away from light.
They can be kept for 3 to 4 years.
Can you eat dandelions?
Obviously !
All parts of the dandelion
are edible.
The roots and leaves of the plant can be eaten raw or cooked but also dried, as an infusion.
The flowers can be eaten raw or cooked.
Indeed, the dandelion belongs to the Asteraceae family, which includes salads (endive, lamb's lettuce, chicory, lettuce, etc.).
It is advisable to harvest the leaves before the flowers appear to maintain their tenderness.
They will keep for 2 to 3 days in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator.
All parts of the dandelion are edible.
Copyright (c) 2018 Madeleine Steinbach/Shutterstock.
No use without permission.
Attention !
If you plan to consume wild dandelions,
wash them carefully
before eating to avoid ingesting pesticide residue or becoming contaminated with pests.
Dandelion leaves offer a certain bitterness in the mouth, close to arugula.
They are
perfect in salads
with other vegetables (beets, potatoes, etc.) just like flowers.
Both can also be enjoyed cooked in an omelette, a pan or a soup.
Once dried, the roots allow you to enjoy tasty infusions by the fire.
What are the health benefits of dandelion?
Dandelion leaves are
rich in vitamins
A, B1, B6, B9, C and K. They also contain beta-carotene, iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium.
Suffice it to say, all the right nutrients to combine good health with a treat for the taste buds.
As its name suggests, dandelion has diuretic properties, but not only that.
It is also a medicinal plant that promotes digestion, helps fight constipation and prevents kidney problems.