Dandelions or Lion’s Tooth?
Everyone remembers blowing on the round, fluffy dandelion seed heads as a child and making a wish. While many consider this weed a nuisance, dandelions have a long history of providing a myriad of culinary and medicinal uses. Did you know….
- Dandelions are part of the daisy family.
- As a food, dandelions have been used in soups, wines and teas.
- When dried and roasted, the root can be used as a coffee substitute.
- The bright yellow flowers are one of the first pollen sources in spring for bees.
- Dandelion comes from the early French “dent de leon”, which means “lion’s tooth”, referring to the jagged leaf edges.
- Legend says that blowing the fluffy seed heads of a dandelion will carry thoughts and dreams to loved ones.
- This common weed has been used in Native American and traditional Chinese medicine to treat ailments, including digestive issues, skin disorders, arthritis and rheumatism.
- Dandelion is the only flower representing three celestial bodies during different phases of its life cycle – sun, moon, stars. The yellow flower of the plant resembles the sun, the dispersing seeds of the plant resemble stars, and the puff ball of dandelion plant resembles the moon.
- Seeds can be carried away to up to 5 miles from their place of origin, traveling like tiny parachutes.
- Dandelion flowers reach heights of 6 to 24 inches, and roots go as deep as 10 to 15 feet.
Sources & Images:
http://mydandelionisaflower.org/did-you-know/
https://blog.gardeningknowhow.com/tbt/dandelion-plant-history-facts/
https://ncnativeplants.wordpress.com/2010/04/12/dandelions/