Taraxacum officinale - Dandelion
 The
Dandelion was one of the many plants brought to the New World by European
settlers who were unfamiliar with useful indigenous species. The many medicinal
and culinary uses made the Dandelion (named for its jagged leaf teeth)
a top choice for introduction by colonists, not to mention its ability
to grow like, dare I say it, a weed. It has been used medicinally for a
wide array of ailments, most commonly a mild laxative and diuretic. An
excellent source of vitamin A, young leaves can be eaten raw or boiled
for 5-10 minutes. Among many other culinary uses, the flowers can be dipped
in batter and fried, and a coffee like beverage can be made from the roasted
root. |
| Family: Sunflower (Asteraceae)
Blooms: March through September Fruit: Dry, 1-seeded with long white bristles Native to: Eurasia Photo Location: Ypsilanti, MI |