Grazing animals eat the juicy leaves, while bees prefer to feed on the nectar-rich flowers - the dandelion is not only known to animals, but also to people who see it as a medicinal plant and kitchen herb or weed. But dandelions are not just dandelions…

There are also white-flowered dandelions

More than 400 species worldwide

There are more than 400 species of dandelion all over the world! The species belong to the daisy family of plants. There are dandelions in our latitudes as well as in the tropics and in the Arctic. But the majority, such as the bog dandelion and the Silesian dandelion, is located in temperate zones.

Characteristics common to all dandelion species

All types of dandelion have the typical serrated leaves, the yellow capsicum flowers and the fluffy seeds. Here are some other common features:

  • perennial
  • herbaceous
  • edible
  • 5 to 40 cm high
  • contain white milky sap
  • have taproots
  • Leaves stand together in rosettes

differences of species

There are species whose flowers are smaller or larger, are slightly whitish in color or have a tinge of orange. Other flowers are less filled with ray florets. The seeds are usually similar. Only the individual 'umbrellas' can differ in length and shape.

The most obvious are the differences in the leaves of the individual species. There are species with extremely narrow and long leaves. The leaves can be strongly toothed or almost smooth-edged. Their color can be more light green or deep dark green. Their end can taper to a point or be more rounded in shape.

The most important species in this country: the common dandelion

While hardly anyone knows the swamp dandelion, the hooked dandelion, the bog dandelion, the Silesian dandelion or the Russian dandelion, the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is extremely well known. It is the most common in this country.

The common dandelion, which is often cultivated in Germany, has the following characteristics:

  • Originating in Asia and Europe
  • up to 30 cm high
  • Leaves 10 to 30 cm long
  • Leaves: heavily lobed, deeply dissected and toothed
  • Capsule flowers 3 to 5 cm wide
  • Flowering time: from the beginning of April to May

tips

The dandelion from the Leontodon genus is a completely different species from Taraxacum.

Category:

Herbs