Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows to 10 cm high. The leaves are at the base. They grow in a ring. The leaves vary in shape. They are narrowly oblong but divided into irregular leaflets along the stalk. They have teeth along the edge. The lobes point backwards towards the leaf bases. The flower heads are yellow. They occur singly. They are on a hollow leafless stalk. It is unbranched. The fruit is dry.

There are 50-60 Taraxacum species. Contains sugars, organic acids, fatty acids and tocopherols. The flowers are rich in sugars, tocopherols and flavonoids (mainly luteolin, oxhezide and luteolin). Source of calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, potassium, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin C.

Where it is found

It grows in temperate places. It grows in lawns and on roadsides. It grows in damp cool sites. In Java it grows between 1,200-1,500 m above sea level. In Argentina it grows below 500 m above sea level. In the Himalayas it grows between 3,200-4,600 m above sea level. In Hobart Botanical gardens. It suits hardiness zones 3-10. Tasmania Herbarium. In Sichuan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Alaska, Albania, Algeria, Andes, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Balkans, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia, Botswana, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Caucasus, Central Africa, Central America, Central Asia, Chile, China, Congo DR, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Easter Island, Ecuador, Estonia, Eswatini, Europe, Falklands, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Guatemala, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lesotho, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Moldova, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, North Africa, North America (country/location of origin), Northeastern India, Norway, NW India, Pacific, Pakistan, Palestine, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Serbia, Sicily, Sikkim, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sweden, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tasmania, Tibet, Tonga, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, Uruguay, USA, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies

How it is used for food

The tender leaves and enjoyed as a potherb. They can be eaten raw in salads or cooked. They are fried in oil. The leaves are used in a fermented Korean dish called Kimchi. The roots can be baked in a slow oven until brown, and brittle. They are then ground up and then perked like coffee. They can also be boiled and eaten. They are used in soups. The flowers can be dipped in batter and fried. They have also be used for wine. They are also used to flavour drinks. CAUTION: The drug taraxacum is a mild laxative. Sprouted seeds can be eaten. The pollen is used as a food colouring.

The leaves and flowers are foraged and used in restaurants in Sweden. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves, roots - coffee, flowers, herb, spice, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. When leaves are bitter the plants can be covered to protect from sunlight for a week. The leaf colour lightens. Plants can be grown by root division.

Its other names

Local names

Achicoria, Amargon, Amargosa, Angelets, Arvirasu, Baran, Barau, Beroberoka, Bo cong anh, Chicoria, Cow-parsnip, Diente di leone, Dia dinh, Diente de leon, Dudh-batthal, Dudhla, Dudli, Dulal, Foun, Gingseng jawa, Girasole, Girasu, Gluharche, Gluvarche, Hand, Huentrai, Jungali copi, Kaadu seventhi, Kanphul, Karabindiba, Khatutik, Koki, Kutwane, Leche leche, Lechuguila, Lion's tooth, Lowenzahn, Marpourcin, Maslacak, Mlecz, Oduvanchik, Paardenbloem, Pathardi, Pathri, Piene, Pienenes, Piscialletto, Pissenlit, Pitachumki, Poupa, Qumstore, Radam, Radicchiello, Radicha, Radicheta, Radika, Rasuke, Saghvidzla, Seaoitsed, Secorio, Seoyangmindeulre, Shamukei, Shershi, Su nha, Tarassaco, Taraxaco, Tawao,Thuki phool, Troyache, Umashwababa, Undarkani, Uqudalele, Virasoulei, Voilill, Yamaghi kha, Zicoria burda

Synonyms

Taraxacum dens-leonis Desf. [Illegitimate]; Probably now Taraxacum campylodes G. E. Haglund;