Is the dandelion the “flower” of the spring season?
It seems so! They have proliferated in so many gardens this year, particularly front gardens and verges, whether people like them or not. With so many dandelions in bloom, they have woven a carpet of yellow, which can be easily confused with oilseed rape about to appear in farmers’ fields and hedgerows.
Dandelions (from the French “dent de lion”, depicting their sharp lion tooth-like leaves) are classed as a weed – a plant that grows where it is unwanted! Dandelions are thought to have evolved about thirty million years ago in Eurasia and have been used as food and medicine for much of recorded history. The dandelion has diuretic properties and provides a source of nectar for most insects.
I remember collecting dandelion flowers from fields and roadside verges years ago for a relative who made a very invigorating white wine from them and just a hint of Pinot Grigio!
Would you believe that the Germans have tested tires made with a blend from dandelion-rubber and are scheduled to test them on roads during the coming years.
A tortoise I “rescued” from a pet shop years ago named Napoleon, survived by his ‘girlfriend’ Josephine, both believed to be over 50 years, loved to munch on dandelions, leaves and flowers. I believe dandelions extended their lives. Who knows, maybe dandelions could extend our lives too. Having said that, tortoises on the Galapagos live to 100 and there is only the roughest vegetation available to them.
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