Dandelions

TEXAS DANDELION
Pyrrhopappus pauciflorus
Aster Family

A deciduous, annual plant that grows to about 1 foot and blooms March – June in open grassland, usually dry clay or sandy loam soils.  It takes little water and can bloom in sun or part shade.  Flowers open in the morning and close up by around noon.  There can be multiple flowers and leaves off the stem.  While the flowers look almost identical, the Texas Dandelion has dark purple to black “anther tubes”.

Although called Texas Dandelion, it is also called False Dandelion since it is not a true Dandelion.  The leaves lack the sharp, spearpoints and backwards pointing pointy lobes of a true dandelion.

Like the common dandelion, it is also edible, although not quite as nutritious. The young leaves and root are edible and contain minerals and vitamins C and A.  Please do not attempt to eat any plant without researching how to prepare it.

COMMON DANDELION
Taraxacum officinale
Aster Family

Common Dandelion’s bright yellow flowers and deeply lobed leaves are familiar to just about anyone in the world who goes outside.  It can bloom from January – December.  A full sun perennial that needs consistent moisture, it is the bane of most urban yards.  There’s a good reason for this as its taproot can be up to 15 feet long!  No wonder we can’t get rid of this invasive pest.

There are two positive things that can be said about this plant.  One is that pollinators like the flowers.  Two is that the leaves, flowers and roots are edible, so if you don’t like this plant, eat it…or perhaps you like this plant because you can eat it.  It contains minerals and vitamins A, B, thiamin, riboflavin and protein.  This plant is bitter, so please don’t eat unless you research how to prepare it first.