What are the characteristics of dandelion? A full guide in one article

Alternative names

Hua hua lang, pu gong cao, edible dandelion, bed-wetting grass, Western dandelion, po po ding

Growth habits

It is a herbaceous perennial plant. The root is slightly conical, curved, 4-10 cm long, brown on the surface, wrinkled, and the root crown has brown or yellowish-white hairs.

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

There are 1 or more scapes, similar in length to the leaves, about 10-25 cm tall, purple-red above, and the outer florets have purple-red stripes on the back of the ligule, while the anthers and stigma are dark green.

The achene is obovate-lanceolate, dark brown, about 4-5 mm long and about 1-1.5 mm wide, with denticles above and small tubercles arranged in rows below, and the apex gradually contracts into a 1 mm conical to cylindrical beak base; the flowering period is April-September, and the fruiting period is May-October.

Flower language

Dandelion flower language

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

Purple dandelion

A light purple dandelion, its flower language is 'the legendary purple, attribute dark. Legend says whoever can find a purple dandelion can obtain perfect love.

Please note: in fact, dandelions are not purple.

Autumn dandelion

The flowers contain abundant nectar, so whenever the flowering season comes, bees flock to them. Therefore, its flower language is "temptation".

Flying arrow dandelion

A dandelion crowned with the name flying arrow, its 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, with a unique flavor. Eaten raw: wash the tender stems and leaves of dandelion, drain, and dip in sauce; it is slightly bitter, yet delicious, fresh, fragrant and refreshing. Cold dressed: blanch the washed dandelion in boiling water for 1 minute, drain, and rinse with cold water. Season with chili oil, monosodium glutamate, salt, sesame oil, vinegar, mashed garlic, etc., or mix into side dishes with different flavors according to your own taste. As filling: wash the tender stems and leaves of dandelion, blanch in water, squeeze slightly, chop, add seasonings to make 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, can clear heat and detoxify, reduce swelling and dissipate nodules;

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

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

④ Dandelion and corn soup: 60 grams of dandelion, 60 grams of corn stigma, add water and decoct in concentrated form 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 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 dermatitis 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 can be decocted into medicinal juice to remove freckles, so it can be said to be a very useful aromatic 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 to cover the dandelion, bring to a boil over high heat, then cover with a lid and simmer over low heat for one hour, filter 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.