Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale
Usually regarded as a common garden weed, the Dandelion grows wild throughout much of the world. Other common names include Blowball, Puffball, Swine Snout and Wild Endive.
A member of the Asteraceae family (a relative to sunflowers and daisies), it is distinguished by its single yellow flower which opens at dawn and closes at dusk. Once the flower has matured the plant forms a puffball of seeds that are dispersed by the wind.
Its botanical name Taraxacum originates from the Arabic word tarakhaqun meaning ‘wild chicory’. Its common name is thought to be a corruption of the French word dent de lion meaning ‘lion’s tooth’, a reference to the coarsely toothed leaves.
Taraxacum officinale
Usually regarded as a common garden weed, the Dandelion grows wild throughout much of the world. Other common names include Blowball, Puffball, Swine Snout and Wild Endive.
A member of the Asteraceae family (a relative to sunflowers and daisies), it is distinguished by its single yellow flower which opens at dawn and closes at dusk. Once the flower has matured the plant forms a puffball of seeds that are dispersed by the wind.
Its botanical name Taraxacum originates from the Arabic word tarakhaqun meaning ‘wild chicory’. Its common name is thought to be a corruption of the French word dent de lion meaning ‘lion’s tooth’, a reference to the coarsely toothed leaves.
