Dandelion: Characteristics and Symbolic Meaning Explained

Alternative Names

Hua Hua Lang, Pu Gong Cao, edible dandelion, bed-wetting grass, Western dandelion, Po Po Ding

Growth Habits

It is a perennial herbaceous plant. The root is slightly conical, curved, 4-10 cm long, with a brownish surface, wrinkled, and the root crown bears brown or yellowish-white down.

The leaves are obovate-lanceolate, oblanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, 4-20 cm long and 1-5 cm wide, with a blunt or acute apex; the margins are sometimes wavy, sometimes runcinate-pinnatifid or lyrate-pinnatifid, with the terminal lobe larger, triangular or sagittate, usually toothed, spreading or recurved, and small teeth often interspersed between the lobes; the base gradually narrows into a petiole-like stalk. The petiole and main vein are often reddish-purple, sparsely covered with cobweb-like white pubescence or nearly hairless.

There are 1 or more scapes, similar in length to the leaves, about 10-25 cm tall, purple-red in the upper part; the ligules of the marginal flowers have purplish-red stripes on the back, and the anthers and stigmas are dark green.

The achene is obovate-lanceolate, dark brown, about 4-5 mm long and about 1-1.5 mm wide, with spines in the upper part and rows of small tubercles in the lower part; the apex gradually narrows into a 1 mm conical to cylindrical beak base. The flowering period is April to September, and the fruiting period is May to October.

Flower Language

Dandelion Flower Language

It has a yellow flower full of vitality, and its flower language is "love that cannot stay."

Purple Dandelion

A light purple dandelion, whose flower language is "the legendary purple, attribute dark." Legend says that whoever finds a purple dandelion will obtain perfect love.

Please note: in fact, dandelions are not purple.

Autumn Dandelion

The flower contains abundant nectar, so whenever it blooms, bees swarm to it. Therefore its flower language is "temptation."

Flying Arrow Dandelion

A dandelion given the name flying arrow, whose flower language is "aiming at the marble," attribute wind.

Dandelion's Application Value

1. Edible value. Dandelion can be eaten raw, stir-fried, made into soup, or dressed cold, with a unique flavor. Raw: wash the tender fresh stems and leaves of dandelion, drain, and dip in sauce; it is slightly bitter, yet delicious, fragrant and refreshing. Cold dressing: blanch the washed dandelion in boiling water for 1 minute, remove, and rinse with cold water. Add chili oil, monosodium glutamate, salt, sesame oil, vinegar, mashed garlic, etc.; you can also dress it according to your own taste into side dishes with different flavors. As filling: wash the tender stems and leaves of dandelion, blanch in water, squeeze slightly, chop finely, add seasonings to make a filling (meat may also be added), and wrap dumplings or buns.

Dandelion has a very good dietary therapeutic effect. ① Dandelion porridge: 30 grams of dandelion, 100 grams of japonica rice, cooked into porridge; it can clear heat and detoxify, reduce swelling and dissipate nodules;

② Dandelion, Yin Chen and red date soup: 50 grams of dandelion, 50 grams of Yin Chen, 10 red dates, 50 grams of white sugar, made into soup; it is a top-grade auxiliary therapeutic medicine for treating acute icteric hepatitis;

③ Dandelion and Platycodon soup: 60 grams of dandelion, 10 grams of Platycodon grandiflorus, a little white sugar, decocted together into soup; it has a certain effect on carbuncles;

④ Dandelion and corn soup: 60 grams of dandelion, 60 grams of corn silk, add water and decoct until concentrated for oral use or drink as tea; used to treat heat strangury and scanty dark urine.

2. Medicinal value. Dandelion is also called bed-wetting grass; the whole plant is used as medicine, and it has a very good effect on diuresis. It is rich in carotene, vitamin C and minerals, and helps improve indigestion and constipation. In addition, the leaves also have a blood-purifying effect that improves eczema and soothes skin inflammation and joint discomfort, while the root has an anti-inflammatory effect and can treat gallstones and rheumatism. However, it is still best not to use it without the guidance of a professional physician. The flowers decocted into medicinal juice can remove freckles, so it can be said to be a very useful herb. For fresh dandelion, choose those with clean leaves and a slight aroma; for dried dandelion, choose those that are grayish-green, free of impurities, and dry.

3. Dandelion tea. 75 grams of dried dandelion and 1000 milliliters of water can be made into tea for drinking. Wash the dandelion, put it in a pot, add water until the dandelion is covered, bring to a boil over high heat, then cover with a lid and simmer over low heat for one hour; strain out the tea residue, and drink after it cools. Dandelion tea is not suitable for people with yang deficiency and external cold or weak spleen and stomach; excessive use can cause mild diarrhea.