Dandelions

AMAZING. Just four days ago the yard was short and green. This morning it is covered in WHITE! No, not snow. Merely the perennial dandelion, here to haunt my green expanse. How the field of yellow could turn white so quickly boggles the mind.

After surveying the yard (the front is no different from the back), I decided to inspect the little darlings. Notice that the recent rain and early morning fog managed to change the appearance of the normally fluffy white top. I actually like the way these beauties look this morning.

I couldn't help myself and decided to do some on-line searching for more information on these plants that are termed "weeds." The following information might be inspirational to some yard caretakers:

From the Botanical website:

"There is some doubt, however, as to whether it was really the shape of the leaves that provided the original notion, as there is really no similarity between them, but the leaves may perhaps be said to resemble the angular jaw of a lion fully supplied with teeth. Some authorities have suggested that the yellow flowers might be compared to the golden teeth of the heraldic lion, while others say that the whiteness of the root is the feature which provides the resemblance. Flückiger and Hanbury in Pharmacographia, say that the name was conferred by Wilhelm, a surgeon, who was so much impressed by the virtues of the plant that he likened it to Dens leonis. In the Ortus Sanitatis, 1485, under 'Dens Leonis,' there is a monograph of half a page (unaccompanied by any illustration) which concludes:

'The Herb was much employed by Master Wilhelmus, a surgeon, who on account of its virtues, likened it to "eynem lewen zan, genannt zu latin Dens leonis" (a lion's tooth, called in Latin Dens leonis).'"

_________________________________________________________

As for the value of these little devils, the following is offered from Wikipedia (not the best site on the web, but certainly full of common knowledge even if not well researched).

"Antioxidant properties: Dandelion contains luteolin, an antioxidant, and has demonstrated antioxidant properties without cytotoxicity."

"Bees: Dandelions are important plants for bees. Not only is their flowering used as an indicator that the honey bee season is starting,[citation needed] but they are also an important source of nectar and pollen early in the season."

_________________________________________________________

And last, but certainly not least, a discussion of how to eradicate these dandy plants from your grass:

"Dandelions are especially well-adapted to a modern world of "disturbed habitats," such as lawns and sunny, open places. They were even introduced into the Midwest from Europe to provide food for the imported honeybees in early spring. They now grow virtually worldwide. Dandelions spread further, are more difficult to exterminate, and grow under more under adverse circumstances than most competitors.

"Most gardeners detest them, but the more you try to weed them up, the faster they grow.
The taproot is deep, twisted, and brittle. Unless you remove it completely, it will regenerate. If you break off more pieces than you unearth, the dandelion wins.

"What's a dandelion digger for?" a dandelion asked.
"It’s a human invention to help us reproduce," another dandelion replied.

_____________________________________________________________

I have a dandelion digger - it was my grandmothers. However, observing the plethora of these hardy plants in my yard and knowing my gardening skills (I have no green appendages, certainly not thumbs), which are limited to abundant crops of so-called weeds, I have decided to revel in the presence of these humble flora and hope the bees make a pleasant sound.

"The distance race is a struggle that results in self-discovery. It is an adventure involving the limits of the self." - Paul Weiss