The nature of Dandelions

[charisstoma]

Common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a European species that is naturalized in Michigan.(and much of the rest of the U.S.) First recorded in the wild in 1837 when it was already well established. Brought here by the earliest settlers as a winter source of greens high in vitamin C they were eaten in the winter and early spring to prevent scurvy. The specific name officinale means “of the shops” and alludes to this useful plants value as a cash crop.




The fuzzy ring at the base of an individual flower is the pappus. This develops into the feather-like structure of the seed. Pappus characteristics are needed to separate some species in this family.
http://www.michigannatureguy.com/blog/tag/dandelion-flower-parts-dandelion-head-cross-section/

pappus
n, pl pappi (ˈpæpaɪ)
(Botany) a ring of fine feathery hairs surrounding the fruit in composite plants, such as the thistle; aids dispersal of the fruits by the wind
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/pappus



Ssssoooooo those are the feathery umbrella parts that allow the dandelion seeds to float on the air to be dispersed, is what I'm getting. Ah HA.

Comments

[mee-eep.livejournal.com]

yeeees they fly everywhere and the roots go really deep, pretty in a field, nigh impossible to get rid of in the garden.

[charisstoma.livejournal.com]

Think of them as ... salad. Not that mostly water little nutrients kind of salad ingredient, but one high in vitamin C.