Dandelion
Taraxicum officionale
You probably know dandelions by
their bright yellow flowers. When the flowers mature into puffballs,
you can blow off the seeds to make a wish. Dandelion flowers are
mainly pollinated by insects. Some of the pollen is also spread
by wind. The pollen doesn't usually cause hay fever. But if you
have an allergy to related plants, such as ragweed and cocklebur,
you may also be sensitive to dandelion pollen. Dandelions are a
popular food crop. That's mainly how the plant spread throughout
the world. Before history was written, people on the move took dandelion
seeds with them to plant in their gardens. Every part of the dandelion
is rich in vitamins and minerals. Even the long sturdy taproot (the
Chinese call it earth nail) is edible.
|