Yesterday was International Day of the Dandelion. A good excuse to post Catherine Truscott’s stunning photos. This bountiful plant is packed with nectar and pollen for our insects, nutrition and healing for ourselves and sheer beauty.
The name comes from the French dent de lion (lion’s tooth) and refers to the teeth on the leaves. The French common name pissenlit and some of the many common English names Old man’s clock, Pissy beds, Tiddle-beds, Wet-the-bed, come from its diuretic effects - well known in the past when it was a common part of people’s diets (Lee’s Cider with Rosie has a lovely description of the collection of Dandelion leaves to make wine). Packed with vitamins and minerals the whole plant is edible. See EatWeeds link in comments for recipes and also medicinal uses
Other common names clock flower, fairy clocks, shepherd’s clock and love clock need no explanation, but the intriguing “priest’s crown” likens the shaven head of clergy in the Middle Ages to the empty disc that held the seeds - no compliment I think!
We need to fall back in love with dandelions - a vital friend to our declining insects. 90 different species of bee, 62 hoverflies and 25 butterfly species visit its flowers. A further 55 insect species feed on its leaves including 31 moths.
The plant, with its all too effective seed dispersal “clock” can be, I know a bit of pest in gardens so let them thrive elsewhere and keep them in check at home by not allowing seed heads to form. The Victorians after all used to clear grass from around their dandelion plants to help them thrive!
This drought resistant plant is our ally in a changing climate, a Russian dandelion species may even be providing the rubber for our tree in the future
Wondering what to have for tea? how about the classic French dish Salade de pissenlit au lardons.