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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:

  1. Kay L. DaviesMay 16, 2011 at 1:56 AM

    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

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  2. LowellMay 16, 2011 at 2:31 AM

    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!

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  3. cieldequimperMay 16, 2011 at 3:03 AM

    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...

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  4. jooMay 16, 2011 at 3:29 AM

    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.

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  5. genieMay 16, 2011 at 5:24 AM

    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.

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  6. HMay 16, 2011 at 5:39 AM

    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!!!

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  7. A Bit of the BlarneyMay 16, 2011 at 6:04 AM

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

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  8. tapirgalMay 16, 2011 at 6:27 AM

    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?

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  9. LindaMay 16, 2011 at 6:31 AM

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

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  10. Kim, USAMay 16, 2011 at 6:34 AM

    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

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  11. Gemma WisemanMay 16, 2011 at 6:34 AM

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

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  12. xinexMay 16, 2011 at 7:01 AM

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

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  13. JoyfulMay 16, 2011 at 9:20 AM

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

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  14. Laura Delegal - Leroy PhotographyMay 16, 2011 at 9:42 AM

    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.

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  15. tapirgalMay 16, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    By the way, I like your big text size.

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  16. LizMay 16, 2011 at 10:40 AM

    Beautiful shots.

    Have a fabulous week!

    Liz @ MLC

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  17. UnknownMay 16, 2011 at 10:52 AM

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

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  18. UnknownMay 16, 2011 at 12:12 PM

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

    Live in the Moment

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  19. KalaMay 16, 2011 at 2:03 PM

    Wonderful details of the dandelion petals!

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  20. Ingmarie WeMay 16, 2011 at 3:52 PM

    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.

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  21. Hootin AnniMay 16, 2011 at 5:13 PM

    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.

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  22. KaoriMay 16, 2011 at 8:36 PM

    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!!!

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  23. BarbMay 16, 2011 at 10:40 PM

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

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  24. UnknownMay 16, 2011 at 10:55 PM

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

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  25. KarenMay 16, 2011 at 11:16 PM

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

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  26. Sallie (FullTime-Life)May 17, 2011 at 5:50 AM

    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.

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  27. Sallie (FullTime-Life)May 17, 2011 at 5:51 AM

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

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  28. BirdmanMay 17, 2011 at 6:34 AM

    My mowing tractor LOVES them! hahahaha

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  29. JamesMay 17, 2011 at 8:45 AM

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

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  30. EG CameraGirlMay 17, 2011 at 11:46 PM

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

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  31. Carolyn FordMay 18, 2011 at 5:55 AM

    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!

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  32. AnonymousMay 18, 2011 at 6:46 AM

    lovely! the second one is amzing!

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

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  33. Crafty Green PoetMay 18, 2011 at 9:21 PM

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

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  34. real ladyMay 19, 2011 at 9:13 PM

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

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  35. Anita JohnsonMay 21, 2011 at 10:31 AM

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

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  36. Luiz Santilli JrMay 21, 2011 at 11:44 AM

    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

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  37. Barbara RosenzweigMay 23, 2011 at 10:10 AM

    Wonderful photo! Dandelions never looked so good!
    Barb

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