Identifying Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Take great care when identifying wild plants and fungi, this blog is not a resource to be taken by itself and further resources will be linked. Consult other sources and double check. While foraging is an extremely rewarding and useful skill, numerous common plants and fungi can make you sick or kill you. Be absolutely sure of what you’re eating and, when gathering, ensure you leave enough not only to ensure the survival and growth of the species but also enough for others to enjoy, from the human and more-than-human communities. Also cultivate an awareness of contamination and pollution – wastewater runoff, spraying, exhaust fumes – as this should affect your decision to harvest.

The Plant

Taraxacum officinale is a commonly found perennial flowering herb from the Asteraceae family. It is native to Europe but can be found all over the world and is considered a “weed” to most. The name dandelion comes from the French “dent de lion” meaning “lion’s tooth” referring to the coarsely toothed leaves of the plant. Taraxacum comes from either the Greek words “taraxis” and “akéomei” meaning “inflammation” and “I cure” or from the Arabic “tharakhchakon” which describes plants with yellow flowers. Officinale comes from the New Latin word “officina” meaning pharmacy or workshop, referring to dandelion’s medicinal properties.

Description

Dandelion is a perennial herbaceous “weed” in New Zealand and spread easily. The leaves are a bright green, sharply toothed, grow in a rosette formation, and can be small or up to 30cm long, and either growing flat along the ground or straight up. The leaves generally taper to a thinner point where they connect to the base of the plant. They have long sturdy taproots which are generally straight and unbranched. They will produce long hollow flower stems (up to 70cm tall) which stand taller than the leaves and secrete a milky latex sap when broken. Taraxacum officinale flowers are bright yellow and are actually comprised of many small flowers (florets). Dandelion produces a seed through apomixis which is an asexual means of reproduction. Their fruits are called cypselae and are green/brown/grey which are attached to white parachutes (pappi) and are about 6mm which help with wind dispersal. They produce 50 to 170 seeds per head!

Ecology

I have come across I have come across Taraxacum officinale all over the North and South Islands of New Zealand and I’m sure you will be well acquainted with them too. Dandelions grow in disturbed areas such as farmland, lawns, gardens, parks, orchards, and riverbanks. A single plant can produce up to 5000 seeds per year and the seeds can remain viable in the seed bank for possibly nine years, hence why this plant is considered such an invasive weed. Dandelions flower and seed throughout the spring and early summer months but the foliage and roots are able to be harvested all year round.

Nutritional & Medicinal Information

Dandelion has been used in traditional Chinese medicine as a diuretic for over 2000 years as it is high in potassium which can help with things like kidney disease, reducing high blood pressure, and detoxing.

It has been found to help treat and prevent liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and even poor liver health due to high alcohol intake. Dandelion has also been shown to help with colitis as it has anti-inflammatory properties.

Aside from potassium, dandelions contain a lot of folate, calcium, and vitamins A, C, and K.

Possible Lookalikes

Hawkbit (Leontodon taraxacoides) looks similar to dandelion but is much smaller, has hairy leaves, and flower stems that are thinner and not as hollow. Hawkbit is also edible.

Catsear (Hypochaeris radicata) is also similar to dandelion but has hairy leaves and thinner stems which are branched and have multiple flowers. Catsear is edible.

Hawksbeard (Crepis capillarisi) can be distinguished from dandelion by looking at the teeth on the leaves. Hawksbeard teeth tend to point directly outward whereas dandelion teeth tend to point slightly down toward the base of the plant. Hawksbeard also has branched flower stems which is different from dandelion’s single hollow stem. Hawksbeard is edible.

Interesting Facts

Yellow dye can be obtained from the dandelion flowers.

The latex from the leaves and stem can be used as a kind of glue.

Taraxacum officinale can be used as a soil indicator for soils low in calcium but high in potassium.

Storage & Cooking

Dandelion greens can be eaten cooked or raw in salads, pestos, soups, omelettes, or pasta dishes.

Dandelion flowers can be used to make wines and jams.

The roots are dried to make a caffeine-free coffee substitute!

Enjoy my fellow foragers!

Further Reading

iNaturalist

New Zealand Plant Conservation Network