Dandelion

Short description:

Unmistakable bright yellow flowers which are familiar to all. Closer investigation reveals a collection 0f 100-200 strap shaped florets which are borne on hollow stems. The deeply lobed leaves  form a basal rosette. The tooth like leaf shape gives rise to the French name dent- du- lion (lion’s teeth) from which the plant takes its name.

Noteworthy characteristics:

Wonderful meadows  packed with yellow dandelions can be found throughout the Burren in late Spring. Their distinctive fluffy seed heads or “clocks” make a beautiful sight particularly in evening sunlight.

                                      ‘Her treading would not bend a blade of grass

                                       Or shake the downy blow-ball from his stalk…

                             Ben Jonson, The Sad Shepard, I, i

Medicinal Uses and other points of interest:

Today many regard dandelion as a garden nuisance.  This was not always the case.

Dandelion was highly respected for its powerful medicinal uses by our Irish ancestors.  Leaves were used as a diuretic and the roots offered effective  liver support.  Used  for rheumatic ailments, colds, coughs, jaundice, digestive disorders, heart  and skin conditions, it was considered by the Irish as a ‘cure all’.

Dandelion was known in Irish as Bearnán Bríde  ‘ the indented one of Brigid’ because of the serrated edge of its petals and leaves. Associations with Dandelion and Saint Brigid in Ireland were believed to be due to the early flowering of dandelions, one of the first to wildflowers to bloom shortly after her feast day on February 1st, the beginning  of Spring.

Other uses

Young leaves can be gathered, blanched and eaten in salads. A fantastic source of vitamin A, C and B.

The dried and roasted roots can be used as a coffee substitute.

Dandelion flowers provide good ingredients for  delicious wine

One of my favourite things to make is  dandelion flower syrup.

 Here is a link to my recipe if you would like to make this delicious honey like delight.

   https://burrenbotanist.ie/plant-recipes/

Personal note:

I love the sight of meadows filled with Dandelions on a bright sunny day.   Although we avoided picking dandelions  as children for fear of bedwetting, little did we know that they are in fact a very effective diuretic!. Dandelions provide all important food for early Spring pollinators. Each year I try to make some dandelion flower syrup, a delicious and nutritious sweetener for drinks, food and in baking.