From wish to weed: our love-hate relationship with dandelions (2024)

From wish to weed: our love-hate relationship with dandelions (1)

URBANA, Ill. — To a child, a dandelion is a magical thing. It’s one of the first plants we learn to recognize. The bright yellow flowers make cheerful bouquets, necklaces, and crowns. The fluffy white seed heads become wishes when we squeeze our eyes shut and blow.

Adults, especially home gardeners striving for a perfectly manicured lawn, tend to be less fond of this deep-rooted, cool-season, non-native perennial.

“Believe it or not, dandelion seeds are available for purchase from garden seed catalog companies,” says Jennifer Fishburn, a horticulture educator with University of Illinois Extension.

Common dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, is easily recognized by a basal rosette of deeply cut leaves, a long taproot, and a hollow stem that supports yellow flowers. The yellow flower is actually a composite of several flowers, each able to make a parachute-like brown seed that can be carried aloft several miles by the wind. The stalk can support as many as 100 to 300 flowers.

Fishburn says there are a couple of potential reasons that gardeners may want to cultivate dandelions.

Pollinating insects will visit dandelion flowers to collect pollen and nectar. While dandelions may not have the most nutritious pollen, they can still be an important food source when there aren’t many other flowers available. Dandelions will flower throughout the year but mainly appear in early spring or late fall.

They also have several culinary uses. Most recipes use the leaves, which are taste slightly bitter. Tender leaves, harvested in the spring before plants bloom, can be eaten raw, while older leaves are cooked. Use the leaves in salads, soups, as cooked greens, and in potato salad. The flowers can be made into wine or jelly.

If you are not a dandelion fan, it is possible to get rid of them, but ensuring that they won’t return requires some effort. Dandelions prefer to grow in a moist, sunny location, but will also grow in shade. If the soil is moist, a small dandelion can be successfully removed by hand.

“Moist conditions make the job easier,” says Fishburn, “but even with moist soil, it is difficult to pull a dandelion and remove the entire taproot.”

A dandelion can grow a six to 18-inch taproot. Leaving behind even a 1-inch section can result in a new plant.

A properly maintained, healthy, dense stand of turfgrass is the best defense against weed invasions. If necessary, Fishburn suggests doing a spot treatment in early fall with postemergence herbicides.

“This is when the dandelion plant is taking food from the leaves and storing it in the roots,” says Fishburn. “When using herbicides, always read and follow label directions carefully.”

Whether the sight of these bright yellow flowers dotting a lawn makes you cringe or makes you smile, these plants are connected to memories of summer, childhood, and magic.

SOURCE: Jennifer Fishburn, Horticulture Educator, University of Illinois Extension

ABOUT EXTENSION: Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities.

PHOTO ACCESS:The photo in this article isavailable to download for media use.

From wish to weed: our love-hate relationship with dandelions (2024)
Top Articles
18 signs you have a deep metaphysical connection with someone
How To Know If Someone Misses You Without Contact (10 SIGNS!) - TheFab20s
compose - Format data into multiple strings
Pwc Transparency Report
San Fernando Craigslist Pets
Jay Cutler of NFL Biography, Wife, Career Stats, Net Worth & Salary
Kool Online Offender Lookup
Express Pay Cspire
BEL MOONEY: Should I leave this boorish, bullying layabout?
Stolen Touches Neva Altaj Read Online Free
Exploring the Northern Michigan Craigslist: Your Gateway to Community and Bargains - Derby Telegraph
Trey Yingst Parents Nationality
Craigslist Tuscarawas Pets
Maine Coon Craigslist
J. Foster Phillips Funeral Home Obituaries
Knock At The Cabin Showtimes Near Fat Cats Mesa
Icy Veins Necromancer Diablo 4
Sunday Td Bank
Exploring the Northern Michigan Craigslist: Your Gateway to Community and Bargains - Derby Telegraph
Osrs Toby
Layla Rides Codey
Crazy Rays Price List
Harris Teeter Weekly Ad Williamsburg Va
Pair sentenced for May 2023 murder of Roger Driesel
Louisiana Funeral Services and Crematory | Broussard, Louisiana
Go Karts For Sale Near Me Under $500
Shiftwizard Login Wakemed
By Association Only Watsonville
Pa Lottery Remaining Prizes Scratch Offs
The 7 Cs of Communication: Enhancing Productivity and Effectiveness
三上悠亜 Thank You For Everything Mikami Yua Special Photo Book
Greenland Outer Drive
Best Places To Eat In Winter Park Fl
Anmed My Chart Login
Central Valley growers, undocumented farmworkers condemn Trump's 'emergency'
OSRS F2P Melee Combat Guide: Fastest Way From 1-99
Podnóżek do krzesła Zion Footrest Outwell | Sklep campingshop.pl
Tcu Jaggaer
MyEyeDr. near Lind<b>ergh Center Metro Station
Hobby Lobby Locations Near Me
Nashville Predators Wiki
Sport Clip Hours
Montefiore Email Outlook Login
Slmd Skincare Appointment
Directions To Pnc Near Me
Apartments for rent in Rotterdam
Left Periprosthetic Femur Fracture Icd 10
Clea-Lacy Juhn: Schwerer Schicksalsschlag kurz nach Zwillingsgeburt
Math Nation Algebra 2 Practice Book Answer Key
Richard Grieve Judge Judy
Nfl Espn Expert Picks 2023
Job ID:24023861 - Compliance and Operational Risk Specialist - Multiple Locations
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Geoffrey Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 5750

Rating: 5 / 5 (60 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Geoffrey Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1997-03-23

Address: 74183 Thomas Course, Port Micheal, OK 55446-1529

Phone: +13408645881558

Job: Global Representative

Hobby: Sailing, Vehicle restoration, Rowing, Ghost hunting, Scrapbooking, Rugby, Board sports

Introduction: My name is Geoffrey Lueilwitz, I am a zealous, encouraging, sparkling, enchanting, graceful, faithful, nice person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.