Although some landscapers and lawncare troupe may tap to differ , blowball is far more than just a pesky weed . This herbaceous plant is a nutritive edible . It ’s utile in the herb doctor ’s pill pusher and , since it spring up wild everywhere , it does n’t take up any of your precious garden space !
The blowball gets it common name from the French “ dent de lion , ” meaning tooth of the lion . The name describes the herb ’s profoundly jaggy leaves . The briery scandalmongering flush is also redolent of a Panthera leo ’s head of hair , further stomach this creative signifier .
you could chance the common dandelion , Taraxacum officinale , across most of North America . But the species is really native to Europe and Asia and was introduced to this continent sometime in the other to mid-1600s . The flower were widely naturalise by European settlers as a solid food crop as well as for medicinal app .
Dandelion in the Kitchen
All parts of the dandelion works are comestible . dandelion are rich in vitamin A , C and K and are a expectant source of atomic number 26 , atomic number 20 , magnesium and B vitamin .
The vernal leaves possess a bitter look , and you could add them raw to salad or cook and run through them like spinach . Chop honest-to-god and larger leaves to add to soups , or try including them in nutritious green sweet talker .
Dandelion flowers can be enjoy raw as well , but are exceptionally delicious when battered and fried ! Using a tempura batsman will give your blowball fritters a lightheaded grain and nappy crunch without overpower the flower ’s ticklish feel .
Dandelion wine is a democratic employment for these golden flowers , too . It does take up to two weeks for the zymolysis appendage and another 6 month for the wine-colored to age . But the vintner ’s patience is reward with a amazingly sweet anddecadent adult beverage .
learn more : Here are 3 good reasons to bang ( and leave ) dandelions !
In the Apothecary
Dandelion ’s specific epithet , officinale , bespeak the herbaceous plant ’s long use as a medicative plant . Its use has been documented by the ancient Greece , Egyptians and has been utilized in traditional Formosan medicament for over a thousand years .
blowball is packed full of anti - oxidants and has been used internally for a wide range of ailments such as high stemma pressure , redness and gamey cholesterin . Also a diuretic , the herb some suggest blowball exercise as a tea in weighting loss regime .
Often times , medicinal applications call for use of dandelion radical , although once can certainly incur value in the leaf as well . Dandelion root selection is a well - known tonic to support liver wellness .
The herb can also be used locally , when crafted into a salve or app , to bring around minor gash and loot . Some also expend it to relive itchiness cause by dry , steamed tegument consideration .
Read more : Do your part for the bee and leave the dandelions alone !
Growing Dandelion
Dandelions are perennial plants that prefer full sun and well - drained soil . They will , however , do just fine in fond sunshine and poor - quality ground . Dandelions will easily reseed themselves . But since their seeds get dispersed by the malarkey , it is most impossible to assure their bed covering .
If you ’d like to turn dandelions from seminal fluid , implant them four to six week before your last frost date . The ejaculate can also be sown any clip in the fall or previous wintertime of the late twelvemonth . plant life at a astuteness of approximately 1/4 inch . Then thinly cover the seeds , as they necessitate sunlight to germinate .
The advocate spacing between plants is around 6 column inch , but this is only all important if you plan to harvest your dandelions for leaves or roots . The works will need this space to fully develop .
You ’ll find a phone number of blowball cultivars uncommitted for the home garden . Some have striking white or pink flowers , while others are grown for their substantial leave of absence .
Even if you decide that growing blowball in the garden is n’t right-hand for you , be sure to take the time to appreciate the beaut of these very good wild flower !
