That old nemesis ... the Dandelion

Taraxacum officinale, commonly referred to as dandelion has awakened and reminded us of its presence. This perennial is a herbaceous plant found throughout North America and Canada, even into Puerto Rico and Hawaii according to USDA distribution maps. One popular account for it's name comes from the Old French word dent de lion, meaning lion's tooth, referring to the deeply lobed leaves of the plant.

The common dandelion is generally referenced as, and treated as, a common weed. Now one can always argue that a weed is merely a misplaced plant. As an example, this definition would define a soybean plant growing in the middle of my tomato plants as a weed. Or maybe the presence of butterfly weed, Asclepias tuberosa, voluntarily existing in the midst of my petunia's. So as you can see, to identify a plant as a weed takes only the consideration of the individual identifying the plant as a weed.

But in the case of the dandelion, it is recognized as a weed under the classification as an invasive and noxious species. This definition does no better than the definition of weed we have already discussed. Noxious by definition refers to something that has harmful characteristics. So you can see we're going to face the same question as before; harmful to who? Or maybe more accurately, harmful to what?

So let's close our opening discussion of the dandelion in this manner. As a plant the dandelion is a very successful survivor in the evolutionary process acting upon the plant kingdom. Consideration of its distribution range alone places it on a scale of acceptable admiration. It contains an arsenal of survival mechanisms to allow it to respond to just about any element nature, or man, can throw at it. It's tenaciousness deserves reference in any encouragement offered to anyone facing tumultuous times or circumstances. So let's admit while it may exist in many places we would prefer it to refrain from, we should re-consider demeaning this organism by calling it names like "weed". Or maybe not......

Next time I will discuss some of the beneficial characteristics, along with some brief natural history facts surrounding this plant. Until then, try and enjoy the dandelions that are blooming. Momentarily forget the amount of time, effort and money you expend on trying to defeat this "enemy" of suburbia landscape, and consider the heralding of more beauty to come that is being announced at the onset of this new season upon us.