Dandelions

Julie Stencel

The dandelion is often regarded as being nothing except a weed, but it is much more than that. The scientific name of the dandelion is Taraxacum officinale. Other names a dandelion may be known as are Faceclock and Blow Ball.

Its origin is in Europe and is a perennial which reproduces by seed. The habitat of a dandelion seems to be just about every where, but it does best in fields. Dandelion comes from the French dent de lion, meaning "lion's tooth", this is in reference to the leaves jagged-edges.

A dandelion flower means coquetry (flirt) and love's oracle (love's authoritative or wise utterance).

The tops from dandelions are used in salads and as a cooking green. It's root may have medicinal value and is often used for such purposes. The root is also used as a vegetable by some people. Flowers are used to make dandelion wine. These are some facts about dandelions.

Information was taken from the following web pages:

http://www.gov.sk.ca/agfood/weeds/dandelin.htm

http://www.student.nada.kth.se/~md94bsa/blommbilder/flowers.html

http://www.hammock.ifas.ufl.edu/txt/fairs/12407

http://www.epicurious.com/db/dictionary/terms/d/dandelio.html