Dandelion Flower Information:
- Scientific Name: Taraxacum officinale
- Common Name: Dandelion
- Origin: Europe
- Current Status: Naturalized all over Eurasia & North America
Long Lasting Blooms for Happy Bees:
Dandelions and daisies have two of the longest flowering cycles of any plants! That means more flowers for longer and very happy bees.
Cloning vs. Reproducing
Dandelions can seed without cross-pollination by creating clones of the original plant with each seed.
Bitter, Delicious Greens
Dandelions are closely related to many lettuces and the young leaves are great in salads (washed carefully, of course).
Additional Dandelion Flower Facts:
- Evolved: 30 Million Years Ago!
- Edible, Edible, Edible – Flowers, Leaves & Stems*WASHED
- Although it is commonly considered a weed because of its ability to survive and spread despite “lawn culture”, dandelions were an edible plant that was used for hundreds of years before pesticides.
- HINT: The more dandelion flowers you eat, the fewer seed in the fall… it’s a win-win!
- Dandelions are one of the most important wildflowers of early spring because of its generalist appeal to pollinators and abundance of nectar!
- It’s not just about the bees… as the Guardian points out, other bugs dramatically benefit from dandelions!
Additional Flowers:
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