A Purposeful Pest

In recent days I've read an article about the ever present dandelion.  Realizing that this poor wild flower is so terribly discriminated against, I was fascinated by some of the information in that article.

For instance, did you know that the dandelion is present on every continent including the Arctic?  In the not too distant past this plant was considered a wonderful spring tonic and was not so mistreated as in modern day industrialized America and Europe.  Everyone is busy trying to make sure that one of these poor plants never shows up in their yards.  That obsession didn't begin until the 1950's when suburbia became the new center of human existence and the perfect yard was the lifetime goal.  I wonder what homeowners concentrated on before the battle of the dandelion started?  Hmmmm...

The dandelion is a major contributor to the nectar gathered by bees for their honey.  The dandelion seeds are a major contributor to several native sparrows during their migration.  I remember that as a little girl my friends and I would pick a dandelion and twirl it under our chins.  The yellow mark (which I now know was the pollen) meant something or another, but I just can't remember what!  I also remember my son Mark, at about the age of 4, picked me a bouquet of dandelions and presented them with great pride.  Of course, I had to put them in a cup of water and put them on the table for a few days.

The entire dandelion plant is edible, including the prized roots.  European herbalists believe that the dandelion root is a good treatment to diminish anemia.   It is a good source of vitamins C, A, and K.
The dandelion has far more calcium than the same amount of spinach.  The young leaves are added to salads giving an added flavor similar to chicory.  The older leaves can be steamed or sauteed like spinach.

So while some herbs and wildflowers have some undesirable effects, a few are even poisonous, that just isn't the case with the much maligned dandelion. 

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