Ecology

In defense of dandelions

Amanda Markle
Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve

(5/2022) This time of year always reminds me of the moment after the tornado in The Wizard of Oz, when Dorothy first opens her door and steps out into the magic of Technicolor. After months of drab browns and grays, the world suddenly comes alive with color once again. Clear blue skies return, trees blossom in pinks, whites, yellows, and greens, yards perk back up a brilliant verdant as grass grows and the smell of the first cutting of the season wafts through the air, and everywhere you look, pops of bright yellow dot the landscape. Dandelions have returned.

Dandelions are a part of the species Taraxacum, a group of perennial herbaceous plants with a large, centralized dominant root, or taproot. The bright yellow flowers are actually a composite of many tiny individual flowers or florets. When the flower fully matures these florets transform into what are known as achenes; the tiny, parachute-like structures that make up the familiar white puffballs that many a child has made a wish upon. They grow and develop quickly, going from flowers to seeds in a matter of just a few days, and individual plants are incredibly hardy, easily living for years.

Dandelions can be a divisive figure in springtime landscaping; the bane of golf courses and many an HOA, with some homeowners fighting a constant (and often losing) battle to keep them away. The common dandelion is an invasive species and, in some areas, considered to be a noxious weed. They can quickly spread and take over a yard, with low to the ground leaves that keep other plants from growing nearby and hundreds of seeds they can produce asexually that can travel over half a mile on the wind. Dandelions may have a bad reputation with some today, but dandelions play an important role in the ecosystem, and humans have been benefitting from this abundant plant in a myriad of ways for thousands of years.

The name "dandelion" comes from the French dent de lion, or "tooth of the lion", a reference to its coarsely serrated leaves. Other common names for this plant include faceclock, puffball, monk’s head, and pee-a-bed (most likely a reference to the diuretic properties of its roots). Dandelions can be found growing on every continent except Antarctica, and thousands of microspecies variations exist.

The common dandelion (T. officinale) likely originated in Europe and was intentionally brought over to the Americans, as well as Australia, New Zealand, India, and many other places worldwide. Dandelions are entirely edible, and humans have been using them for thousands of years as both food and medicine. Their leaves are a staple in many traditional cuisines. They can be eaten raw or cooked, and are high in iron, calcium, and vitamins A and K. The roots are equally nutritious and have diuretic properties. Roasted and ground dandelion roots can be made into a beverage that has often been used as a coffee substitute, including by Southern soldiers during the Civil War, when rations were often cut off by Union barricades and real coffee was hard to come by. Some say the milky sap found in its hollow stem can repel mosquitos or even heal pimples and warts. Scientists in Germany and China have invested in research to utilize the natural latex found in the dandelion’s stem. Even structurally, dandelions have benefitted humans; engineers have used dandelion seeds as the inspiration for lightweight, passive drones.

Dandelions have many uses for humans, but they are of critical importance to the ecosystem, acting as one of the most important food sources for springtime pollinators. Though invasive, thousands of species have evolved to use dandelions as a food source. Many types of birds will eat their seeds; an even greater variety of insects utilize their nectar, and the larvae of butterflies and moths will eat their leaves. Their root system makes them beneficial to the soil they grow in; breaking up overly compacted earth, aiding in erosion prevention, and drawing up nutrients from deep down, making them more readily available to other plants.

The benefits of dandelions to humans, wildlife, and the environment are many, but their reputation with some as an undesirable weed and an eyesore won’t likely disappear overnight. If you really cannot stand the sight of these cheery yellow flowers in your yard, there are some eco-friendly approaches you can take to discourage their growth. One strategy is to limit your fertilizer use- dandelions are often better at soaking up fertilizers than grass and other plants and will take advantage of the added nutrients to ramp up their growth. Another is to avoid cutting your grass too short or cutting too much off at a time. Removing the top layer of grass will allow more light to reach areas lower to the ground, and dandelions will take the opportunity to grow. Some researchers have even observed that in areas where the grass is regularly cut short, the dandelions seem to have adapted and evolved to grow and bloom just below where the grass is typically cut; an excellent example of natural selection in real-time.

Even with these strategies, dandelions are a tenacious plant, and without constant management it’s almost impossible to remove them from an area entirely. A much easier approach would be to shift your perspective on dandelions. Dandelions have existed on this earth for about 5 times as long as humans have, and they aren’t likely to disappear anytime soon. Next time you find a new patch has popped up in your yard, save yourself a lot of weeding and enjoy these sunny flowers for the bright pop of color they add to our landscape, and the many benefits they hold for humans and nature alike.

Amanda Markle is the Environmental Education Manager of the Strawberry Hill Foundation. Strawberry Hill inspires stewardship of our natural world by
connecting the community with educational opportunities.
 Learn more by visiting StrawberryHill.org.