Edible plant - novice (for Genus ID) Season - all year Common names Dandelion, wee-the-bed, wet-the-bed, bitterwort, clockflower, blowflower, blowball, Irish daisy, lion's tooth, yellow gowan, puffball, swine's snout, piss-the-bed, priest' crown, common dandelion, cankerwort, telltime
Scientific name meaning: Taraxacum is most likely derived from the Greek "Taraxis" meaning disorder, together with "Akos" referring to a remedy. There are some sources that cite the Arabic word tarakhshagog, which means "bitter endive" and often mistranslated to "bitter plant". This is due to it being reference as such in a mediaeval text from 1170. However, it is likely that this word itself has its origins in the Latin Taraxacum. Officinale is Latin, and means "an office, monastery or pharmacy". This is in reference to the type of place where medicines would have been kept. This is due to the plant's medicinal uses.
The specific epithet is an aggregate name covering over 200 species of dandelion known to grow in the UK
Habitat  Found in grassland, pasture, garden borders, roadsides and waste ground. It is a native to Europe and parts of Asia, and has been introduced to Australasia, the Americas, and other parts of Asia. |
Overall structure  A basal rosette of lobed leaves that produces flowers stalks with one yellow composite flower. Depending on the species, the height and width of the plant can range from a few centimetres to over 50cm. |
Leaves  The leaves are deeply lobed and often these lobes have sharp edges, resembling pointed teeth. It is from the leaves that it gets its common name dandelion - derived from the French "dent-de-lion" meaning lion's tooth. The leaves form a basal rosette. As the leaves mature, they will ooze a white, milky substance referred to as latex when they are damaged. |
Stem  The stem is hollow, cylindrical and free of hair, leaves or side shoots. When damaged, the stem flesh oozes a white, milky substance known as latex. |
Flowers  The yellow flowers are composite, meaning they are made up of many individual flowers called ray flowers. Each of these individual flowers has a yellow strap-like ligule, which, when clustered together, gives the dandelion bloom its distinctive appearance. |
Seeds  Once pollinated, the dandelion's bristly seed-like fruits, achenes, form. Each of these has a silky parachute-like pappus attached to it enabling it to be distributed by wind over a wide area. The cluster of these that forms after the flowers have been pollinated gives the dandelion its recognisable "clock" seed head. |
Possible lookalikes  Other aster family members could be confused with dandelion, some of which are toxic. Coltsfoot (Tusilago farfara), pictured, is eaten by some but contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids and a banned foodstuff in Germany. Dandelion's unbranched, hairless flower stalk differentiates it from relatives, which have branched, leafed or roughly hairy stalks or different coloured flowers. |
Use as a food The young leaves of Dandelion can be eaten raw or cooked, but these get bitter with age. The unopened flower buds can be used to make capers. Once open, the young petals, with all green parts removed, can be used to make jams, jellies, marmalade, cordial, syrup and wine. The root can be roasted and ground to produce a coffee replacement, from which a syrup that can be used as a cordial is made. This syrup can be used to produce dandelion and burdock cordial Use in herbal medicine and medicine As its scientific name suggests, dandelion has had many uses as a herbal medicine including as a diuretic, antibiotic, laxative, tonic, and appetite stimulant. It has been used to treat liver disorders, urinary disorders, heart problems, oedema, gout, eczema, acne, and indigestion.
The sap (latex) has been used to treat warts, verrucas and corns
If you are suffering from any ailment or need medical advice, please see your General Practitioner.
Hazards There are some reports that dandelion may be mildly toxic. However, if this is the case any toxins would be in extremely low amounts and excessive consumption required in order cause issues. There is circumstantial evidence that some people may have a contact allergy to dandelion.
Dandelion has diuretic qualities, so be aware of this if consuming in large amounts
Other uses A plant feed can be made from its leaves and roots, and it can be used to speed up the ripening of fruits. The roots can also be used to make a red-brown dye Importance to other species Dandelion is exceptionally important as a food source for pollinators, particularly early pollinators. It provides food for grazing mammals
Always stay safe when foraging. You need to be 100% sure of your identification, 100% sure that your foraged item is edible, and 100% sure that you are not allergic to it (it is good practice to always try a small amount of any new food you are consuming). If in doubt, leave it out!
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