What kind of environment is suitable for dandelions to grow in?

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, with brown or yellowish-white hairs at the root crown.

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 edges sometimes wavy, sometimes runcinate-pinnatifid or lyrate-pinnatifid, with the terminal lobe larger, triangular or spear-shaped, usually toothed, extending outward or backward, often with small teeth between the lobes, and the base gradually narrowing into a petiole-like shape. The petiole and main vein are often reddish-purple, sparsely covered with arachnoid white soft hairs or almost hairless.

There are 1 or more scapes, similar in length to the leaves, about 10-25 cm tall, purple-red in the upper part, with purple-red stripes on the back of the marginal ligules, and 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 spines on the upper part, rows of small tubercles on the lower part, and the apex gradually contracting 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, 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 it blooms, bees swarm to it. Therefore, its flower language is "temptation."

Flying-arrow dandelion

The dandelion named flying arrow has the flower language "aiming at a marble," attribute wind.

The application value of dandelion

1. Edible value. Dandelion can be eaten raw, stir-fried, made into soup, or dressed, with a unique flavor. Eaten raw: wash the fresh tender stems and leaves of dandelion, drain them, and dip them in sauce; they have a slight bitterness, a delicious fresh fragrance, and are refreshing. Dressed: blanch the washed dandelion in boiling water for 1 minute, drain it, and rinse it 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 them in water, squeeze them slightly, chop them, add seasonings to make a filling (meat can 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, 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, 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, has a certain effect on carbuncles;

4) Dandelion and corn soup: 60 grams of dandelion, 60 grams of corn cob, 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, also called bed-wetting grass, is used whole as medicine, and has a very good effect on diuresis. It is rich in carotene, vitamin C and minerals, and has an improving effect on indigestion and constipation. In addition, the leaves also have a blood-purifying effect that improves eczema, soothes dermatitis, and relieves 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. 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 in color, 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, 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.