Dandelions are native to Eurasia, but have been introduced to North America, South America, India (where it hadn't reached naturally), Australia, New Zealand and probably anywhere else where Europeans, the people, have migrated.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is commonly a weed of habitation and agricultural areas, but also invades natural vegetation in the temperate regions of Australia.
In Australia, dandelion is usually referred to as a weed and generally sprayed with poison or pulled out.
They used the roots, flowers, and whole plant for back pain, anemia, liver spots, and sores. The Nehiyawak (Cree) used an infusion of the roots as a famine food.
There are two species of dandelions native to Australia; Taraxacum cygnorum and Taraxacum aristum. Both are threatened species. If you are able to support native dandelions in your garden, you should take every possible opportunity whether it's in pots, lawns, or borders.
Naturalised in Australia and New Zealand. Plant Description: Tap-rooted perennial herbs with lanceolate (spear shaped) to oblanceolate (spear point attached to stem) from 5-40 cm long and hairless or with a few scattered weak hairs. Leaves are variously lobed but points nearly always point backwards.
Dandelion can be identified by its flower stalk and by its leaves, which are in a basal rosette. The flower stalks rise straight up out of the centre of the radial leaves with each stalk holding one flower head.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
All parts are edible, from the oh-so-decorative-in-a-salad yellow petals, to the root, which can be slow roasted and used as a coffee substitute.
Here the Aboriginal peopl relied more on the seeds of native grasses, and wattles such as Mulga (Acacia aneura), Wiry Wattle (Acacia coriacea), and even seed of the Coolabah tree (Eucalyptus microtheca).
LOMANDRA LONGIFOLIA Mat rush Aborigines ate, and made a drink from the flowers of this species and ate the tender whitish new leaf growth. Leaves were used for making dilly bags and baskets. Lomandra species are host plants for a number of Skipper butterfly species including the Symmomus Skipper.
Dandelions (Taxacum officinale) are native to Eurasia, and it is generally believed that they were first brought to North America on the Mayflower for its medicinal uses. In Europe, China, India and Russia they were used to treat a plethora of skin, infection, liver and digestive problems.
Cat's Ear (Hypochaeris radicata) is the most likely to be mistaken for dandelion, as the flower heads look very similar. Cat's Ear do not have hollow stems and their stems are branching. They also have hairy leaves with deep notches.
With their golden flowers in the early spring, dandelions represent the return of life, the rebirth of growth and green after a harsh winter, and a display of abundant strength and power.
Even the best cared for lawns will have an occasional dandelion. They are difficult to completely eliminate, and the entire plant (root and all) of the dandelion needs to be removed or they can grow right back.
Dandelions are good for your lawn. Their wide-spreading roots loosen hard-packed soil, aerate the earth and help reduce erosion. The deep taproot pulls nutrients such as calcium from deep in the soil and makes them available to other plants.
The dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is an abundant “weed” plant that also happens to be edible. In fact, nearly the entire plant can be consumed in one way or another. The only inedible part is the stem, which contains a very bitter, milky substance.
The spearthrower (known in some parts of Australia as the woomera) is a unique Aboriginal invention. It was designed to increase greatly the distance a spear could be thrown, acting as a first order lever.
The Proteaceae family of flowering plants, including banksias, grevilleas and waratahs, are among Australia's most popular natives. A key characteristic of the Proteaceae family is that flower heads are made up of a number of small flowers.
Yes, you can eat dandelions that grow wild in your yard. Remember, avoid any dandelions that have been sprayed with fertilizer or any other toxic sprays. Here are a few popular ways to eat dandelions, including my favorite, dandelion tea.
Dandelion leaves to be eaten raw are best when they are fresh and young. As they age, the leaves get increasingly bitter. But they are still edible, particularly if you blanch them before using them in your recipe.
Dandelion tea can function as a detoxification process and have you glowing from the inside out. It can reduce bloating and help to clear your skin. It may be used as a weight loss aid as it can improve digestion, and as a diuretic it may help you to shed water weight [2].
Eventually, all those beautiful flowers eventually turn to white globes of exposed seeds that are often called "puffballs." Dandelions grow so successfully because those puffballs disperse their seeds over long distances in a stiff breeze.
The flowerheads of Carolina false dandelion are usually solitary, terminal, like those of dandelion but bright sulphur yellow. The basal leaves of Carolina false dandelion can be much like dandelion leaves. They often disappear by flowering time.
Pour boiling water over the dandelion leaves. This will burn the leaves and cause them to turn yellow and curl fairly quickly. The hot water will also burn the roots when it soaks into the soil, and the plant will die with damaged roots and without leaves to absorb nutrients.