Dandelion

Description:

The dandelion (from French dent-de-lion, meaning lion's tooth) is a beneficial weed, with a wide range of uses, and is even a good companion plant for gardening. Its taproot will bring up nutrients for shallower-rooting plants, and add minerals and nitrogen to soil. It is also known to attract pollinating insects and release ethylene gas which helps fruit to ripen. Dandelions are important plants for northern hemisphere bees, providing an important source of nectar and pollen early in the season & are used as food plants by the larvae of some species of butterflies and moths. In the north-eastern United States, dandelion is cultivated and eaten in salad. The flower petals, along with other ingredients, are used to make dandelion wine. The ground, roasted roots can be used as a caffeine-free dandelion coffee. Dandelion was also traditionally used to make the traditional British soft drink dandelion and burdock, and is one of the ingredients of root beer. Dandelion leaves contain abundant vitamins and minerals, especially vitamins A, C and K, and are good sources of calcium, potassium, iron and manganese.

Habitat:

Lurking among my liriopes!