dandelions forever

there are 2800 microspecies of dandelion. dandelions are thought to have evolved about 30 million years ago in eurasia. dandelions have been used by humans for food and as an herb for much of recorded history. they were well known to ancient egyptians, greeks and romans, and are recorded to have been used in traditional chinese medicine for over a thousand years. the plant was used as food and medicine by native americans. dandelions were probably brought to north america on the mayflower for their supposed medicinal benefits. The english name, dandelion, is a corruption of the french dent de lion meaning “lion’s tooth”, referring to the coarsely toothed leaves. the plant is also known as blowball, cankerwort, doon-head-clock, witch’s gowan, milk witch, lion’s-tooth, yellow-gowan, irish daisy, monks-head, priest’s-crown, puff-ball, faceclock, pee-a-bed, wet-a-bed, and swine’s snout.

so what’s our modern beef with dandelions?

common dandelion (Taraxacum)