We were sitting in the clubhouse drinking coffee and chatting the other day. The subject of dandylions came up because there are thousands and thousands blooming at the moment. Somehow we started talking about the name. In Dutch it's called the "horse bloom(flower)". One fellow said that the english name was dandylion. We thought this odd but then he told us the origin of the name it— dent de lyon (or lions tooth), a French term. The flower itsself does not resemble this at all, but it's leaves do to a degree. What do they call this plant in other countries, do you know? The leaf vaguely resembles a row of teeth, doesn't it?
They are dandelions here in the US also. As children, playing in the yard, we would pick them after they went to seed, make a wish, then blow them in one breath until there would be no seeds left . . . this meant that our wish would come true. I don't remember where we learned this. . . maybe my mama.
When my daughter had a guinea pig we actually used to go hunting for dandlions as a treat for it. Nowadays they are dug up as soon as we see them. They are said to be a good diuretic and can make excellent wine but I'd still rather they didn't grow in my garden!!
We call them lion tooth, directly translated, and mostly dig them up and throw them away from the garden.
lol,,, I call it dinner and a drink,,lol. I make the wine, use the baby leaves in cooking and salads. Use the older leaves to make tea with when dried.. dandelions are one the must nutritious plants that grows wild. it is a good diuretic. but packed with vitemins. the white goo that comes out of the stem is the most powerful wart remover next to surgery. takes a few days but works. the roots when clean and fresh can be chopped up and used just like turnips, rutabega, carrots ect. when roasted and dried, the root that is,, is a substitute for coffee. very strong for a "weed". My grandmother called them Pee-de-beds,, losely translated. because of the diuretic quality of the plant. I love this plant,,,,can you tell,,,lol.
I hunt out Dandilions every morning when I walk the dog before work. We bring them to the babysitters house for her pet bunny, Smudge. He gets a bit of clover and alfalfa too...what a spoiled bunny!
Dandelions are my youngest grandson's favorite flower. We used to pick and blow the seed puff when I was a kid too, I think it is something that kids have done since the beginning of the beginning. I love what you call them Biita. I have never known of anyone who 'grazes' thru the wilderness like you.
People I know dig them up and toss them away. Personally I think we should use them as a food source. There are many edible plants growing in the wild. Why must lawns be only grass mowed a certain height?
