Taraxacum officinale
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Taraxacum officinale

dandelion
Bearnan Bride

  family asteraceae 
  genus taraxacum 

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Identification
Genus  Taraxacum Species  officinale Variety  Cultivar  Common names  dandelion   Bearnan Bride Family  ASTERACEAE Specimen number  S14029 Data source  Allergy p282;ColorNat p15;DyePl p64;MedPl p140;UnVeg p161
 
Life cycle
Life form  Terrestrial Life cycle  Annual Life span  1 year Annual cycle  Not applicable Stature  Flower Growth form  Not applicable Growth habit  Decumbent Overall height    Overall spread   
 
Climate
Sunshine  Full sun to partial shade Water  Moist Optimal soil texture  Soil texture 29 Acceptable soil pH  Slightly acidic USDA hardiness  Not classified AHS heat zones  Not classified Sunset climate zones  Not classified
 
Garden
Suitable for gardens  no Nursery  Unknown Compost  no Size at acquisition  Unknown Garden location  Unknown Garden notes  The flowers of Taraxacum officinale as well as the roots and the whole plant have been used in traditional fabric dyeing. A range of possible colors can be produced by Dandelion including yellow, green, orange-brown, dark khaki and magenta. Taraxacum officinale is known as Bearnan Bride in Gaelic. Dandelion has been used in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland for dyeing. It is used in dyeing wool. Full sun to partial shade is needed for this plant to do its best. It does well in moist soils.
 
Special qualities
Tolerates drought  no Tolerates high humidity  no Tolerates seaside conditions  no Insect resistant  no Disease resistant  no Deer resistant  no Best uses    Symbiosis  Attracts butterflies  no Attracts hummingbirds  no Autumn foliage  no Colorful berries  no Desirable qualities    Other interest    Other interest color  Other interest period   
 
Adverse factors
Common pests  Poisonous parts  Poisonous indications  Internal poison  no Dermatologic poison  no Livestock poison  no Mechanical injury  no Hay fever pollen  Light Hay fever season  Jan 01 - Dec 31 Adverse qualities   
 
Herbal medicine
Medicinal properties  diuretic   detoxifier   bitter Medicinal parts  Leaves   Root Has medicinal uses  yes Do not self-administer  no Do no use if pregnant  no Legally restricted  no Toxicity precautions  Medicinal notes  The leaves of this plant as well as the roots and the flowers are all edible. There are many nutritional properties of merit in Taraxacum officinale; for example thiamine, riboflavin and vitamin C can all be found. Dandelion is most commonly used cooked or fresh. This plant is considered by some to be an herbal remedy. It's used as a diuretic, a detoxifier or a bitter. The leaves and the root are used in herbal preparations. This anemophilous species has only a light pollen count during hay fever season. This plant doesn't really have a "season" for hay fever pollen; it tends to produce wind borne pollen almost year-round.
 
Traditional uses
Parts used  Traditional uses  Contemporary uses  Fragrance  Fragrance parts  Fragrance intensity    Fragrance category    Dye parts  Flowers   Roots   Whole plant Dye color  yellow,green,orange-brown,dark khaki,magenta
 
Cultivation
Propagule  Seed Pollination method    Planting style  Beds Crop spacing  1' 6" - 2' Row spacing  10" Cold frame  10 to 12 weeks Planting period  May 01 - May 31 Harvesting period    Frost tolerance  Very hardy Heat requirement  Any Fertilizer  Phosphorus & potassium Time to harvest  45 to 95 days
 
Nutrition
Is edible  yes Culinary uses  Fresh   Cooked Nutritional value  Thiamine   Riboflavin   Vitamin C Edible parts  Leaves   Roots   Flowers Description of edible parts Flavor / texture  bitter
 
Horticulture
Horticulture notes  The best month for planting is May. Typical crop spacing is 1' 6". Separate each row by approximately 10". Harden in a cold frame for 10 to 12 weeks prior to setting out. Phosphorus and potassium are both required for optimal growth. Estimated time to harvest is 45 to 95 days. Taraxacum officinale is typically propagated by seed. Dandelion is a wildflower that occurs throughout US. This plant is considered to have originated from Scotland.
 
Herbarium
Tag needs printing  no Collection notes  Taraxacum officinale has an annual life cycle.

Page 4626 of 4998

Last reviewed November 01, 2004   

 

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