May 16, 2011

The Common Dandelion

What is the difference between a weed and a flower? Only that the weed grows where it is not wanted, I've learned. Does that make it less beautiful or useful? Well, no. 

Take the common dandelion. Isn't it delightfully pretty? Each bright yellow flower is unique, no two alike, as far as I can tell... so much like snowflakes that way... and humans.

[Enlarge me by clicking.]

Dandelions have medicinal and culinary uses. If, for example, you have low appetite, upset stomach, or liver or gallbladder issues, or you need to normalize your blood sugar level or improve your lipid profiles, you may want to look more into the curative powers of the various parts of this lowly weed. Its young leaves are great in salads or sauteed with sweet vegetables. 

 Austria, 2011

Hey, honeybees love them... and after a spring of seeing bright yellow dandelions everywhere, so do I.

This is my contribution to Today's Flower, Mosaic Monday, Macro Monday, and Mellow Yellow Monday. (If a host of any of these memes frowns on multi-linking, don't be shy to let me know.)

37 comments:

Kay L. Davies said...

There are squillions of dandelions on our boulevard right now, and they do look pretty, especially when I don't have my glasses on! Unfortunately, we can be fined by the Town By-law Officer for having too many weeds on our boulevard.
— K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

Lowell said...

You're absolutely right..."weediness" is arbitrary...and you've proven it here - that is a glorious field of dandelions!

I once went to the zoo and saw a fine pair of dandy lions.

:-)

Thanx for all your very nice comments today!

cieldequimper said...

I love them because they are pretty and because I love dandelion salad (pissenlit in French). Though there are as many dandelions in this country as everywhere else, the salad is almost impossible to find these days. Except maybe at countryside markets, I dunno...

joo said...

I love them too. Thy look like thousands little suns in the fresh green grass in May!
As for Romania, I'll be there on 26 June.

genie said...

Oh, my goodness...an entire field of dandelions...how remarkable. It is beautiful beyond words. I am so glad you posted this shot. I have never thought of them in a field...only as little disturbances in my flowers. Love it.

H said...

Dandelions have been prolific over here this year; fields full of them and some of the grass verges along the country lanes have been almost solid yellow!

They are beautiful until I am grubbing around in the soil in my garden, trying to wriggle my fingers down to the very bottom of that enormously long tap root... SNAP! Crap!!!

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Lovely dandelions...if it ever stops raining here they may come up...just to be removed as a weed! Have a grand week! Cathy

tapirgal said...

Try growing them in your yard and see what the neighbors say! I did. It was not very nice, but then I didn't harvest them before the went to seed. I think I tried eating them, but since I didn't continue the practice, I must not have enjoyed them. It sounds like I could use some of that medicine, though. Do you eat them?

Linda said...

Terrific yellow!!!
Have a great week!
Glad to be following you...

Kim, USA said...

I love dandelions in our yard. The yellow flower makes the whole place more beautiful. And yes it has more use that some other plants or weeds as they call it. Happy Monday!
MYM

Gemma Wiseman said...

Dandelions are such a bright happy gold! The field seems to glow with them!

xinex said...

They are beautiful especially collectively growing as in the photo. Love the bright color...Christine

Joyful said...

I haven't seen a dandelion in a very long time. They do look pretty.

Laura Delegal - Leroy Photography said...

You're soo right. I remember someone posting pictures of daylilies last year saying they hated them because they kept growing in the ditch. Daylilies aren't weeds!! Love the carpet of yellow.

tapirgal said...

By the way, I like your big text size.

Liz said...

Beautiful shots.

Have a fabulous week!

Liz @ MLC

Unknown said...

Lovely yellow. Love the 2nd pic, very nice but makes me think hay fever!

Unknown said...

what a glorious yellow field! i love the perspective of the 2nd photo.

Live in the Moment

Kala said...

Wonderful details of the dandelion petals!

Ingmarie We said...

Well, it seems that the dandelions are all over the world (nearly). Must say I wish they weren't so very many.... Lovely photos and mosaic.

Hootin Anni said...

Pretty top photo, but ohhhhhh the countryside photo of the 'dandelion lane' is just stupendous.

Here's an open invitation to view my 'legendary' MERMAID'S PURSE...a sea 'oddity'. If you have time...come on over for a visit!!

Have a super Monday.

Kaori said...

Ooh your dandelions are like ours here in Japan! Very delicate! The ones I grew up with in the states were more poofy and thicker and everytime we would make a dandelion bouquet, our hands would get all sticky from the milk in the stems! I miss being a kid ;D

Thanks for the great photos, Francisca!!!

Barb said...

Great post and you seem to be quite the ethnobotonist. Very interesting.

Unknown said...

I guess I have never seen a dandelion plantation... Yellow fields always remind me of the blooming mustard in Rajasthan.

Karen said...

I love dandelions. A weed is just a misplaced flower.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I have trouble distinguishing between weeds and wildflowers. If they're pretty to look at (and dandelions definitely are) then I really don't care. Lovely pictures.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I left the wrong link up above. Sorry. (You know where to find me).

Birdman said...

My mowing tractor LOVES them! hahahaha

James said...

Excellent post. I've always liked dandelions. :)

EG CameraGirl said...

If dandelions were less common, people would love their cheerful colour and delightful softness. Personally, I like dandelions. :)

Carolyn Ford said...

this is such a beautiful scene...a gazillion dandelions looking mighty fine! maybe I will be nicer to them when they pop up in my grass now that I have seen your lovely photo!

Unknown said...

lovely! the second one is amzing!

http://lighttrigger.blogspot.com/2011/05/ipe-flower.html

Crafty Green Poet said...

I love the cheerful brightness of dandelions - and rabbits love eating them!

real lady said...

What a lovely scene. It is such a lovely yellow flower. :)

Anita Johnson said...

Our roadsides are just yellow this time of year...it makes you smile, weed or not!

Luiz Santilli Jr said...

Lovely your post!

I wish you post as Guest Friend in TODAY'S FLOWERS.
If you accept this invitation, send me one or more pictures and we'll plan your day's guest.
Thank you for participating in the TODAY'S FLOWERS.

Luiz

Barbara Rosenzweig said...

Wonderful photo! Dandelions never looked so good!
Barb