Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale
How to Identify Dandelions
(Just in case)
The Most Hated Plant in America
It's is safe to say that most people HATE dandelions.
Growing in a front lawn? SPRAY. Growing in a sidewalk crack? SPRAY. Americans spend $5 billion a year on herbicides(1). But why go to all this trouble? Why are dandelions hated so much?
1800s: A Popular Snack
By the 19th century, Dandelions were not only a popular medicinal herb but were also becoming a beloved food(2). The Shakers were known to cultivate acres of it(2). Dandelion tea, salads, and wine were all the rage.
Dandelion in A Curious Herbal, 1737
National Library of Medicine # 101456746
National Library of Medicine # 101456746
1620: When it all Began
Dandelion seeds were first introduced to North America in 1620 by settlers on the Mayflower(2). In Eurasia, it was a popular medicinal herb used to treat the liver, kidneys, bladder, and more(3). Apparently, the plant was an effective diuretic(4) (making people pee). Both settlers and Indigenous communities utilized the medicinal properties of the plant(5).
Dandelion in A New and Complete American Medical Family Herbal, 1814
National Library of Medicine #2556052R
1900s: Battle of the Leafy Greens
Popularity of the Dandelion began to dwindle in the late 20th century when alternative, less-bitter produce became available. This includes the notoriously boring vegetable that is iceberg lettuce(2).
A Green, Fuzzy Monster
The 1900s were a time when many Americans began moving to the suburbs. In response, there came a rise in a monster: a green ocean of artificial uniformity that lurks in plain sight... turf grass!
If you’ve ever lived in the suburbs you know that people can make a big deal out of their grass lawns (looking at you, Dad). A lawn is an artificial plant habitat made up of predominantly grass, including non-native species(6). Lawns are meticulously cultivated to achieve the aesthetic of a lush green carpet(6).
Upkeep is extremely energy intensive and expensive, requiring extensive use of herbicides, fertilizer, and water(7). To hear more about the origins and impact of lawns, watch the short clip below before moving on.
Watch the short clip below to discover more about lawn culture in the United States.
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Peer Pressure
As new lawn technology became accessible in the 1940-50s, such as lawn mowers and rubber hoses, it became more convenient for homeowners to maintain a lawn(8). Suburban garden clubs, town beautification efforts, and yard improvement campaigns also significantly contributed to the societal pressure to have perfectly manicured grass lawns(8). As a result, the presence of "weeds" became unacceptable.
"Don't Eat 'Em Defeat 'Em" Advertisement by The Scotts Company, 2001
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/j.1944-8287.2003.tb00222.x
War Against Weeds
The United States tends to see an interesting trend in lawn marketing during times of war.
Advertisers often used war imagery and themes to promote their lawn products(8). This included the Martin Weed Gun in 1947 and the Weed Eater from 1979 marketed as "the ultimate weapon in the war on grass and weeds,"(8).
This tactic sought to encourage Americans to support their country by protecting their land from allegedly aggressive, unwanted weeds.
Weedone Advertisement, 1947
https://i.etsystatic.com/8029294/r/il/8197ba/4034665726/il_1080xN.4034665726_nha8.jpg
The Original Weed Eater, 1979
https://www.yourgreenpal.com/blog/the-history-of-the-weed-eater-and-how-it-became-the-string-trimmer
Friend or Foe?
Besides being an eyesore to some, Dandelions do not harm the land they grow on in any way. On the contrary, they are a great source of food for wildlife, including pollinators in the early spring when other flowers are scarce(3). They also have the tolerance to grow in places other plants may not be able to and use their long tap roots to break up and aerate compact soils(?). The reality is, Dandelions have done no wrong. Some people just find them ugly.
Harvesting Dandelions
The whole plant is edible, raw or cooked (except the fuzzy white pappus). Timing of harvest depends on the flavor you want to capture. Generally, the later in the season you harvest the more bitter the flavor will be.
Learn which parts of the plants should be harvested and when.
Leaves
Young leaves early in the season are less bitter than mature leaves. However, both are still usable in different recipes.
Flowers
Flowers bloom in early spring on sunny days. They tend to wilt quickly after being removed from the rest of the plant, so be sure to use them right away. Additionally, if stored for too long, the petals will begin to turn into fuzzy seeds.
Buds
Harvest the stemless buds at the base of a young plant. Removing the first bud will reveal more, even tastier pea-sized buds underneath. Don't worry, they will keep growing back!
Roots
Consuming the roots is not recommended because they tend to accumulate heavy metals from the soil.
Foraged dandelion roots from a secluded forest may be safer to eat.
The Original Weed Eater, 1979
https://www.yourgreenpal.com/blog/the-history-of-the-weed-eater-and-how-it-became-the-string-trimmer
Recipes
Now that we have our harvest, it is time to start cooking.
Find out the flavors of the plant and what dishes they taste great in.
Then check out the recipes below.
Young leaves
Flavor: mild bitterness
Best stage for eating raw
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salads (pair with sweet dressing)
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radicchio or arugula substitute
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sandwiches (pairs nicely with honey mustard)
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pasta
Mature leaves
Flavor: bitter
Best stage for cooking/frying (oil reduces bitterness)
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soup
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sauteed
References
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Donald, A., & Paisley-Jones, C. (2017). Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage: 2008-2012 Market Estimates . United States Environmental Protection Agency . https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-01/documents/pesticides-industry-sales-usage-2016_0.pdf
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Chalcraft (2014), "Encyclopedia of Cultivated Plants: From Acacia to Zinnia",
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Tredici, P. (2010). Wild Urban Plants of the Northeast: a Field Guide. Cornell University Press.
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Richards, G. (2021). RHS Weeds: The Beauty and Uses of 50 Vagabond Plants. Welbeck Publishing.
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Moerman, D. E. (1998). Native American ethnobotany. Timber Press.
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Winkler, J., Pasternak, G., Sas, W., Hurajová, E., Koda, E., & Vaverková, M. D. (2024). Nature-based management of Lawns—Enhancing biodiversity in urban green infrastructure. Applied Sciences, 14(5)https://doi.org/10.3390/app14051705
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Robbins, P., & Sharp, J. T. (2003). Producing and consuming chemicals: The moral economy of the american lawn. Economic Geography, 79(4), 425. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1944-8287.2003.tb00222.x
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Groth, P. (1994). [Review of The Lawn: A History of an American Obsession; Front Yard America: The Evolution and Meanings of a Vernacular Domestic Landscape, by V. S. Jenkins & Fred E. H. Schroeder]. Winterthur Portfolio, 29(4), 296–299. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1181477