Life Cycle: Dandelions grow from seeds and do not spread asexually from stolons or runner; they have a single tap root. However, they can and do reproduce asexually by seed. They are capable of producing viable seed without need of cross-fertilization, a process known as "apomixis".
An example would be a honey bee and a dandelion. The honey bee gets to eat the pollen from the flower. The dandelion uses the bee to spread its pollen to another flower. Commensalism: One species benefits.
Dandelions are both male and female at the same time. For most hermaphroditic flowers, the genders develop at slightly different times to avoid inbreeding. Inbreeding allows negative traits that are normally recessive to become physical traits, which isn't good.
Dandelions have a trick up their sleeve. They can reproduce by apomixis – they don't need pollination to set seed, and each seed, with its little parachute, will form a clone of its “parent”. From generation to generation they remain the same genetically.
Life cycle:
Dandelion is a simple perennial. Plants emerge from seed and the root becomes a perennial taproot system that persists over the winter.
Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) reproduce by producing seeds, but the seeds are produced by apomixis, i.e. without the sexual process. Dandelion does produce flowers and these appear normal and develop ovules.
Eventually, all those beautiful flowers turn into white globes of exposed seeds that are often called "puffballs."
The leaves are used to stimulate the appetite and help digestion. Dandelion flower has antioxidant properties. Dandelion may also help improve the immune system. Herbalists use dandelion root to detoxify the liver and gallbladder, and dandelion leaves to help kidney function.
Self-Pollination
The dandelion plant does not require pollination in order to reproduce; rather it self-pollinates and reproduces asexually through seeds by a method in botany called apomixis. It is the dandelion's process of reproducing which creates its characteristic fluffy white sphere.
While one might think cross-pollination is occurring as insects visit dandelion flowers, it is not. Dandelions in the United States are triploids, having three sets of chromosomes, and most of its pollen grains are infertile. After only one day of bloom, the flower closes.
The French have another name for them — "pee the bed"
The French word [for dandelion] is pissenlit, which translates to "pee the bed." Dandelions are a diuretic and in fact they are as strong as some of the commercial products.
Dandelions (Taraxacum officianle) are often regarded as the bane of our lawns and gardens. Dandelion's seed dispersal and resilience to all manner of controls make this plant a weed in most circumstances.
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.
Dandelions spread quickly because their seeds can travel up to 5 miles. That equates to 88 football fields! They're also called pioneer plants or ruderals because they are the first plants to grow on land that has been disturbed (like land after a wildfire).
Dandelion makes the only flower representing three celestial bodies during different phases of its life cycle – sun, moon, stars. The yellow flower of the plant resembles the sun, the dispersing seeds of the plant resemble stars, and the puff ball of dandelion plant resembles the moon.
Ever snap off a dandelion head and see the white liquid seeping out from the stem? It turns out that fluid isn't sap or poison, but a defense mechanism, in the form of latex! The Lithuanian word for dandelions is 'pienė', which literally translates to milky, for the white liquid.
Where did we get the idea of making a wish on dandelions? The story goes, if you blew all of the seeds of a dandelion at once, the person you loved would love you back. Each time you wish upon a dandelion you are sending anywhere from 54-172 seeds into the air.
You can see in the photos above and the video below, that there is a layer of air around the dandelion which protects it from the water. This is because each of the dandelion seeds is attached to a pappus, which is a parachute-like structure made of around 100 fine bristles, and this structure is mostly air (92% air!).
C-Dead Dandelions. D-Dandelion Puffs. I (Katey) have always called them wish flowers, because ever since I was a kid, every time I pick one, I blow the seeds away and make a wish.
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.
These tattoo designs can also represent resilience and rebirth. Whether they're a golden yellow or a fluffy white, dandelions are undoubtedly a flower rich in symbolism. Some represent purity and innocence, recalling our childhood memories, and others symbolize the desire to move on from the past.
Triclopyr (brush killer) is effective against dandelions, and does not kill grasses. Be sure and carefully read the instructions on the herbicide container for proper dilution, safety and application rates.
Individual plants may survive for 10 to 13 years in undisturbed sites. Dandelion seeds can form a relatively persistent seedbank. Seed in soil has a half-life of 3 months. If buried, a few seeds may still remain viable at the end of 5 years.
Dandelions are edible and nontoxic for dogs; however, some parts of the plant are more nutritious than others. Here are three of the most nutrient-dense parts of dandelions: Blooms: Dogs can consume the yellow flowers or seed puffs of dandelions. Dandelion blooms contain high levels of antioxidants and polyphenols.
Hold the fluffy head of your dandelion near your mouth and turn carefully in the direction of the breeze. This insures a good flight for your wish and keeps all the seeds from landing on your clothing or in your hair. For the magic to be at it's best you must blow all the seeds off with one breath.