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KamaAina

(78,249 posts)
25. Dandelions are among the most underrated of plants
Thu May 12, 2016, 06:07 PM
May 2016
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taraxacum#Edibility

Dandelions are found on all continents and have been gathered for food since prehistory, but the varieties cultivated for consumption are mainly native to Eurasia. A perennial plant, its leaves will grow back if the taproot is left intact. To make leaves more palatable, they are often blanched to remove bitterness, or sauteed in the same way as spinach. Dandelion leaves and buds have been a part of traditional Kashmiri, Slovenian, Sephardic, Chinese, and Korean cuisines. In Crete, the leaves of a variety called 'Mari' (???ί ), 'Mariaki' (????ά?? ), or 'Koproradiko' (??????ά???? ) are eaten by locals, either raw or boiled, in salads. T. megalorhizon, a species endemic to Crete, is eaten in the same way; it is found only at high altitudes (1000 to 1600 m) and in fallow sites, and is called pentaramia (??????ά??? ) or agrioradiko (??????ά???? ).

The flower petals, along with other ingredients, usually including citrus, 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. Also, dandelions were once delicacies eaten by the Victorian gentry, mostly in salads and sandwiches.

Dandelion leaves contain abundant vitamins and minerals, especially vitamins A, C, and K, and are good sources of calcium, potassium, iron, and manganese....

Historically, dandelion was prized for a variety of medicinal properties, and it contains a number of pharmacologically active compounds. Dandelion is used as a herbal remedy in Europe, North America, and China. It has been used in herbal medicine to treat infections, bile and liver problems, and as a diuretic.


All continents? Even Antarctica?
And don't put pesticides on your lawn. lagomorph777 May 2016 #1
I just mow. CompanyFirstSergeant May 2016 #2
I am not surprised. lagomorph777 May 2016 #5
I mow the lawn - but because I have grandkids that love to play ouitside tonyt53 May 2016 #3
That is what I do, when the heat goes up and they start to wither I start mowing. By that time LiberalArkie May 2016 #4
Great post CompanyFirstSergeant felix_numinous May 2016 #6
Obsess... CompanyFirstSergeant May 2016 #10
Yes! felix_numinous May 2016 #13
Message auto-removed Name removed May 2016 #7
Me too. My Good Babushka May 2016 #8
i'm sure my neighbors hate it, but Viva_La_Revolution May 2016 #9
Oh, and one other thing.... CompanyFirstSergeant May 2016 #11
I mow the front in order to avoid a citation, back yard is a meadow :) MH1 May 2016 #12
25% of my 2 acres is set aside safeinOhio May 2016 #14
It's about 1.5 acres of lawn.... CompanyFirstSergeant May 2016 #15
I mow my lawn so I don't get plenty of ticks when i'm enjoying it. Bonx May 2016 #16
i have plenty of ticks. I don't mow my lawn. Atman May 2016 #17
You evidently don't have an HOA to contend with. nt B2G May 2016 #18
No CompanyFirstSergeant May 2016 #19
I mow my lawn, and have plenty of bees, too. MineralMan May 2016 #20
Hieght setting. CompanyFirstSergeant May 2016 #21
That's what I do too. Mariana May 2016 #23
bees are very attracted to Lavender IcyPeas May 2016 #22
I have a bottlebrush tree, and it is loaded with honey bees right now. ScreamingMeemie May 2016 #24
Dandelions are among the most underrated of plants KamaAina May 2016 #25
And we just poison them out. CompanyFirstSergeant May 2016 #26
I got rid of my lawn altogether The Velveteen Ocelot May 2016 #27
Well, unless you live in snake country and your little kids play out there Warpy May 2016 #28
I thought everyone in NY used goats chained to dog houses ileus May 2016 #29
Not me!!! CompanyFirstSergeant May 2016 #30
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