The dandelion it is one of the most common herbs in temperate regions of Europe. The design and color of its flowers are very similar to that of many other plants. Maybe that’s why there are those who pick up the hoe as soon as they go out in your garden. But the truth is that they are curious. And precious, especially when the petals fall and only the seeds remain that will be transported by the wind to very distant distances.
As if that weren’t enough, it has culinary and medicinal properties, so before you uproot it… take a look at this special article first. It sure surprises you .
Origin and characteristics
Our protagonist is a perennial herb whose scientific name is Taraxacum officinale known as bitter chicory or dandelion native to the Old Continent that has spread throughout the world. It is characterized by having alternate lanceolate, pinnatipartite leaves, with triangular lobes with dentate and sharp margins, of dark green color..
Flowersthat sprout in spring and summer, they are hermaphrodites of a golden yellow color. Once they are pollinated, the petals fall and in a matter of days the seeds finish maturing, which are devoid of filaments that fulfill the function of the wings.
What are the cares?
Normally, as it is a common herb that comes out spontaneously in cultivated – and not cultivated – fields, the ‘Care’ section would attract a lot of attention, and it may even do so as well. But even at the risk of someone taking me for crazy () I’m going to tell you how to take care of dandelions:
Location
It is important to be outside, in full sun. Feeling the rays of the star king will allow you to grow with strength and vigor.
Earth
- Flower pot: you can use universal growing medium without problems. You can buy it here!.
- the garden: the garden soil is a bit indifferent to him. It grows even in soils poor in organic matter, so you don’t have to worry about that.
Irrigation
During the spring and especially the summer it must be watered frequently3-4 times a week; the rest of the year 2-3 waterings per week will suffice or even less if you live in an area that rains regularly.
Subscriber
It is not necessary. If you want, you can pay it with organic fertilizers (guano, humus, herbivorous animal manure) once a month.
Planting or transplanting time
The best time to plant it in the garden or to move it into a larger pot is in spring.
Multiplication
By seeds in spring. You can sow them directly in the garden or in a pot placed in full sun. They germinate in a matter of a week, sometimes less.
Rusticity
The dandelion withstands the cold and frost of up to -7ºC.
What uses does it have?
Ornamental
Yes Yes. It is a plant that, although it is true that it is very common (some would say that even too much) produces flowers of a very beautiful color. And on the other hand…. What do you think about this?
Medicinal
Dandelion is a plant with medicinal properties. It is used to treat liver / biliary diseases, to relieve symptoms of rheumatism, and as a diuretic.. In addition, it also has anticancer properties, so it is very interesting to take it, for example in salad, especially if this terrible disease is very present in our family.
Its leaves are rich in vitamins A and C, and in iron and calcium. In this sense, you should know that it contains more iron and calcium than spinach.
Culinary
With the leaves salads are madeeither mixing them with the leaves of other vegetables or alone. Prepared (fried) flowers are often added with a little olive oil for added flavor.
The flowers are also made into jams and put into cakes.
The nutritional values per 100 grams of raw leaf of this plant are:
- Calories: 45kcal
- Proteins: 2,7 g
- Water: 85g
- Fats: 0,70g
- Carbohydrates: 9,20g
- Fiber: 3,5g
- Sugars: 0,71g
- Minerals:
- Calcium: 187mg
- Iron: 3,10mg
- Magnesium: 36mg
- Phosphorus: 66mg
- Potassium: 397mg
- Sodium: 76mg
- Zinc: 0,41mg
- Vitamins:
- Vitamin C: 35mg
- Thiamine: 0,190mg
- Riboflavin: 0,260mg
- Niacin: 0,806mg
- Vitamin B6: 0,251mg
- Folic acid: 27mcg
- Vitamin B12: 0mcg
- Vitamin A: 508mcg
- Vitamin E: 3,44mg
- Vitamin D: 0lU
- Vitamin K: 778,4mcg
- Fats:
- Saturated fats: 0,170g
- Monounsaturated fat: 0,014g
- Polyunsaturated fat: 0,306g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Where to buy?
You no longer see the dandelion with bad eyes? Well, whether or not I have been able to convince you, you should know that the adult plant is not usually marketed due to its bad reputation and how easy it is to multiply, but you will find the seeds for sale in online stores (sometimes also in those stores where they sell pet food and gardening tools) for a price of 1 euro a packet of 100 seeds.
And with this we are done. What did you think of this article? Do you consider it a waste of time? Has it been useful to you? Leave us your opinion in the comments .
