The Dandelion: Pest or Treasure?

 When I moved to Prairie Hill three and a half years ago, there were no dandelions growing around the place. It was new construction with the usual earth disruption. I was disappointed, because every spring I saute dandelion leaves and onions to add to my scrambled eggs. It's an important spring ritual for me. I didn't want to give it up. So I poured through the seed catalogs. No dandelion seeds! But there was something called Italian Dandelions and I planted them. It turned out that they were not dandelions at all, but a form of chicory. But they tided me over until the real thing began to find it's way to Prairie Hill.

Now there are dandelions everywhere here. I am one of their biggest fans, but even I get tired of digging them out of my garden. I love them, but they can't have it all! Since there were no dandelions here three years ago, and now they are prolific, I decided to do some research on them. I know that for most folks, they are a nuisance. But how did they get here, where did they come from, what is their history among humans? Are there cultures that value them?

What I found was a reminder that the dandelion has many medicinal uses. The first record of dandelions being used for medicine is from China many centuries ago. The Chinese believed that dandelions purify the blood and increase immunity. Then by the 11th Century, Arabic cultures were using them for treating the liver and kidneys. Soon their use spread to Europe, where most households gathered the dandelion for medicine or food. So when the Puritans made the trip to the New World, they made sure to bring dandelion seed along. Who knew what plants they would find in their new environment, but they were familiar with this plant and knew its value. The Spaniards brought dandelion seeds to California, the French brought them to Canada. And the list of diseases that were treated with dandelion leaves or roots was very long! In the Victorian Flower Language, dandelion means Love.

All this is about how our species uses dandelions. But what of the plant itself? What is its personality? It's growing habits? How does it affect its environment? What's it like to be a dandelion? Or grow next to one? As it turns out, dandelions are masters of adaptation. Unlike many plants who are pickier about where they grow, dandelions take root in most any relatively sunny location. Their presence loosens the soil, which brings the earthworms, who in turn draw nutrients to the surface. So if you're a plant, growing next to a dandelion can really help you. If you're a rabbit, you're happy about dandelions because they make good food. A wide array of omnivores and herbivores munch on them.

Once soil is newly disturbed and dandelions have a chance to take root, there may be several years when they spread energetically and widely. That's where Prairie Hill is now. Many, many, many dandelions. Evidently this phase doesn't last forever though, and gradually there will be other species that take over dominance. Here at Prairie Hill, we hope that Buffalo Grass, Blue Grama, and other native species will take over. We are very actively promoting them, and we are starting to reap the benefits. Maybe in 10 years, I will have to look harder for my breakfast leaves. But now I just step off my porch, and they're in abundance around the new construction across the sidewalk.

In the annals of plant success, I would think that the dandelion would be featured as a highly successful plant. It has developed a terrific method of spreading its seeds (think of those white puffballs blowing in the wind). It has been able to adapt to a wide variety of settings. It's even been intentionally introduced to many countries as people migrate. Even though it spreads easily, the scientific assessment is that it is no threat to ecosystems. In fact, it improves the micro-climate where it lives and grows. Around the world it has been a treasured medicine for a thousand years or more. It has a pretty flower and furnishes sap to bees. And yet it is the curse of many Americans because it mars their pristine lawns.

One surprising fact: In southeast Asia fungus is attacking the rubber trees. They/we need to find a replacement with which to make our rubber products (think tires). As it turns out, dandelions are a good substitute! Who knew?! (Maybe you did, but I didn't!) Dandelion sap has been used now for a good many years in rubber-making, and current research is focused on a Russian variety of dandelion which seems to yield the best rubber. Will this raise the status of this too-little appreciated small plant? We'll see. But already it is high in my personal popularity contest. It might be my totem plant (or are there totem plants???).