Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Already the dandelions have gone to seed and only a few yellow flowers can be found in the lawn.  According to Penn State Extension, dandelions flower when the day length is less than twelve hours, which explains why they are more prevalent in the spring than in the summer. By fall, lawns are thicker which will prevent seeds from taking root. Being one of the first plants to flower they provide an early source of nectar for the bee population.

With the numerous benefits that dandelions have to offer, they should hardly be considered a weed. A native of Eurasia, they were probably introduced to America because of their nutritional and medicinal value. If you would prefer that they remain in meadows and ditches, instead of in your front lawn, they can easily be dug up (be sure to get the entire root as they are a perennial). Instead of discarding the plant, the leaves can be served fresh on salads or steamed quickly for a nutrient packed side dish. They are a very bitter herb, but that is probably because of the high quantity of vitamins and minerals in each plant. Dandelion leaves contain more vitamin A than almost any other fruit or vegetable (338% of recommended daily value (RDA)/100g ). They are also one of the richest sources of vitamin K of any herb (649% RDA/100g). The plants are also a good source of fiber, calcium and iron as well as various beneficial flavonoids. Later in the summer or fall, the roots can be dug up, roasted and ground, and then brewed by itself or mixed with chicory for a coffee substitute. I may have to give that a try this year.     

So, next time you see a yard or field of dandelions remember that although they may be a weed in your lawn, they can also serve many useful purposes including providing food for the insect population as well as ourselves. 



Sources: Penn State Extension -http://extension.psu.edu/pests/weeds/weed-id/common-dandelion


webpage - http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/dandelion-herb.html