Talk: Dandelion

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from the article: "found in most gardens during the summer months" -- I find it hard to believe that dandelions are found in gardens in all parts of the world. I know of them in Europe; beyond that I have no idea. Could someone clarify? --Tarquin

Dandelions are present in America, Australia, New Zealand, India, China and Canada and are seen in Japanese recipes - is there anywhere they aren't? Maybe desert climates? They are very widespread because they are used as medicine and cuisine. Many people don't see them as weeds. --rmhermen

Thanks. I just thought we should check. They're weeds in my garden... ;-) -- Tarquin

point taken about weeds. NPOVed to say considered as weeds. Tarquin

Basically, it's a temperate zone plant. A friend of mine in Southern California tried and failed to grow dandelions; apparently they need winter. I've noted that in the article. Does anyone know where they originated? Vicki Rosenzweig

Several websites call them of "Eurasian" origin not that that helps much. They were apparently first noted by Arab writers in the 10th century but it didn't mention where. Arabs were widespread by then too. They are listed as growing in Australia and Mexico so I would have thought they would grow in southern California too. The University of California (http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7469.html) says the dandelions grow year round in the entire state except in the mountains. This page aslo says that dandelions go back to Roman times as a medicine and food. --rmhermen

Is there a set policy on the gardening section of the 'pedia? We have recipes, so should we have gardening tips? I can say that dandelions are hard to get rid of; they have very long roots. I find the only way to keep dandelions under control is:

• catch them early when they only have a few leaves
• rip off any flowers that form to prevent seeding
• tackle the big ones with trowel or spade. There's a weeding tool like a long v-shaped trowel that's very good for them too. -- Tarquin

If you do not eradicate them, you are in for a root awakening! -phma

Is a description of the plant needed? Not being any sort of biologist, I've come up with this so far:

The plant grows as a cluster of narrow, fairly dark green leaves, up to (?)25cm. Flowers grow on firm stems of up to (?) 40cm

But "firm" is the wrong word. "self-supporting"? hmm. Tarquin

Well, also the leaves grow outward from a center over the taproot; and the stem extends from the center too. The leaves are oval with wavy edges ... not dissimilar to the inner leaves on romaine lettuce, but laid flat on the ground. Also, breaking the stem releases a milky substance. Just what I remember from high school, when I had a yard.  :-) --KQ 19:26 Aug 19, 2002 (PDT)

Is the table overlapping the text for any body else? This is happening with all right or left aligned tables in IE 5 on Win 2k. --mav

I believe this problem is specific to Internet Exploder. It looks lovely in Mozilla. --Brion

Removed from article:

This is hardly encyclopedic but could be reworded and made into a real recipe under cooking dandelions. --mav

It's now under How to cook dandelions. - Montréalais