By the end of May, we had to clear our large garden for the coming fire season. Out we went with the lathe, sheers, strimmer and lawn mower to cut down the winter growth of what is supposed to be lawn but which we left to grow into a ‘jungle’.
It was hard work, but as we worked through the mass of weeds, I began to pay attention to the wildflowers that were growing profusely. It struck me that it was rather sad that these were viewed as weeds, and we were getting rid of them.
My mother always says, “pull up the dandelions or they will seed everywhere”. Why would that be such a problem? Why do we pull up many of the wildflowers because they are deemed to be weeds?
Weeds are generally uncultivated plants that grow without human intervention and that are not valued where they grow. Gardeners hate weeds because they grow easily and quickly out of control, taking over areas and depriving other cultivated plants from water, nutrients and sun.
Still, it is all rather subjective for apart from a lawn, trees and bushes, I do not have any cultivated plants in my ‘garden’, so these wildflowers actually added a nice touch of colour, with purple and yellow predominating. They also bring an abundance of butterflies, bees and beetles, so we are helping nature!
However, it was finding this beautiful quote, by an unknown author, that inspired me to research about dandelions. “The dandelion is the only flower that represents the three celestial bodies of the sun, moon, and stars. The yellow flower resembles the sun, the puff ball resembles the moon and the dispersing seeds resemble the stars.”
Did you know that the dandelion flower is actually a collection of over 100 florets arranged on a flat disc? Each morning the florets open up, layer by layer, ending with the centre ones and in the evenings the reverse occurs as the flower closes up to protect itself from night dew. Their roots can grow over 4.5 metres and apparently are very tasty boiled and served with butter!
One dandelion can produce up to 5,000 seeds a year and, when taken by the wind, they can travel up to eight kilometres, which is one of the reasons they grow pretty much everywhere.
Dandelions are believed to have originated in Eurasia 30 million years ago. Their Latin name is Taraxacum officinale and the name ‘dandelion’ derives from the French ‘dent de lion’ meaning lion’s tooth, referring to dandelion’s coarsely-toothed leaves.
The humble dandelion, which is so despised, is actually an amazing plant, for every part has a useful or therapeutic potential. They were used by the ancient Egyptians, Romans, Greeks and Chinese for medicinal purposes. In Victorian times, dandelion pills, wine and tea were commonly used to purify the blood, aid headaches, cure skin, digestive and liver conditions. Dandelions have diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties and modern research indicates they have beneficial effects on our blood pressure and sugar levels and can help kidneys remove excess sodium from the body. Studies have also shown that dandelions potentially display anti-cancer properties for certain types of cancer.
However, before rushing out and harvesting this super versatile, wonder drug plant, it is important to remember that they might have been exposed to pesticides, chemicals or dogs! Although dandelions are non-toxic, care should be taken to not exceed recommended daily allowances and they can cause undesirable side effects for some people. Dandelion supplements and teas are available, but medical advice should be sought before you take them as they may react with medications.
Victorians would pull up the grass to make room for dandelions and other useful weeds as dandelions were eaten in sandwiches and salads providing a bitter spicy flavour. They can also be stir-fried or added to soups for they are a rich source of antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties, fibre and essential fatty acids.
Their leaves are packed with calcium, vitamins (A, C, E, K, B), iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper and manganese, although perhaps all this was not actually known at the time. The roots can be used like chicory, replacing coffee, although I cannot see my coffee-addicted husband wanting to drink a dandelion substitute!
The Kent and Sussex Courier May 15, 1891, advertised for 30 gallons (almost 76 litres) of dandelion flowers were wanted at 4d per gallon. These would have been for making dandelion wine, pills or yellow clothes dye.
Despite their benefits, I am not tempted to eat our dandelions as too many animals have access to them including the bees that make delicious dandelion honey and the birds that feast on their seeds.
Dandelions have also long been the subject of folklore. Being one of the first flowers to bloom in spring, they are a symbol of new beginnings and are associated with change and hope as people blow the dandelion puffed seeds hoping to make wishes come true.
Love myths include the belief that if dandelions are gifted to newly-married couples, it will bring them luck and prosperity. That the seeds can carry your thoughts and dreams to loved ones if you blow the seeds from a dandelion head in their direction and if in one breath, you blow off all the seeds, this indicates your love is reciprocated.
The dandelion was also seen as a barometer, with the good weather due when the seeds were tightly packed whereas loose seeds indicated rain was on the way.
The Greeks saw the plant as a source of power and strength and apparently dandelions can also enhance psychic abilities with dandelion tea aiding divination and prophetic dreaming. If you keep a dandelion under your pillow or in your pocket, this will provide protection to ward off evil spirits.
The inherent child in me is tempted to blow the dandelion heads when I find them, but now, having read that “to know how many years you will live, it will be as many years as there are seeds left on the head once you blow it”, the superstitious me will never do this again!
Undoubtedly, the dandelion is too common to be esteemed for its beauty, but I think we should look upon it with more respect in the future rather than consigning it to the compost pile.
So now you know!
By Isobel Costa
|| features@algarveresident.com
Isobel Costa works full time and lives on a farm with a variety of pet animals! In her spare time, she enjoys photography, researching and writing.
