Dandelion

Short description:

Unmistakable bright yellow flowering  heads 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. This leaf shape gives rise to the French name dent- du- lion (lion’s teeth) from which the plant takes its common 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’.

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.