Lion's Tooth Taraxacum officinale
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ta-RAKS-uh-kum oh-fiss-ih-NAH-lee
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Dandelion is an edible, herbaceous perennial wildflower or weed in the daisy family (Asteraceae) and native to Eurasia. The common name dandelion comes from the French dent de lion, which translates to "lion's tooth," referring to the deep green leaves that are toothed.
Dandelion grows in full sun and forms a deep taproot that can break up compact soils. It is fast-spreading, generally by seed, and once established is not affected by pre-emergent herbicides.
Dandelion provides nectar and pollen to honey bees and other beneficial insects, which is particularly important in early spring when it is one of the only plants in bloom. The leaves and bright, yellow flowers are used in salads and stir-fries as well as jams, wines and teas. Young leaves are best for raw eating and older leaves are better cooked. Roots are roasted and were used as a coffee alternative during World War II. The plant’s milky latex sap has also been used medicinally. The seed head is a beautiful puffball and delights young and old when they blow on it to disperse the seed.
Dandelion is not generally cultivated in the home landscape. However, left to grow in lawns and naturalized areas, it provides a bright accent. It can also be planted in mass in an edible garden.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
VIDEO Created by Homegrown featuring Travis Birdsell, County Extension Director and Extension Agent for Ashe County Extension
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Vegetable, Herb and Mostly Native Pollinator Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Taraxacum
- Species:
- officinale
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The root was dried and roasted and used as a coffee alternative during the second world war. It has also been used medicinally.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eurasia
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers provide nectar to pollinators and bees.
- Edibility:
- Leaves and flowers are used in salads and stir-fries as well as jams, wines, and teas. Young leaves are best for raw eating and older leaves are better cooked. Roots are roasted and used as a coffee alternative.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Weed
- Wildflower
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- White
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Fluffy downy round seeds heads are dispersed by wind
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- more than 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Bright yellow ray flowers with toothed tips appear throughout the year on second-year plants. They are singular heads on their stems and the flowers close in the evening.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Deeply toothed, with backward-pointing teeth or lobes. Oblanceolate shape form a basal rosette.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Hollow stems are reproductive (scapes) exude a milky sap they are leafless and unbranched
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Compaction
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Weedy
