Darling Dandelions

Among the first flowers of spring are the cheerful yellow dandelions. Most of us think of the dandelion as a weed because it grows where we do not want it. When I was young it was my endless chore to remove dandelions from the yard. I disliked my job so much that my forth grade invention project was an automatic dandelion weeding machine. All the difficulties I encountered in performing my chore were the direct result of the dandelions tenacity for survival. For example, dandelion leaves grow in flat rosettes close to the ground that defy mower blades while blocking out the growth of nearby plants. They have deep taproots, which store an abundant winter food supply, but alas make it tough to pull out completely an unwanted dandelion. If these survival strategies weren't enough, the dandelion produces an abundance of seeds with the wind as a joyful accomplice. As a child I knew I was defeated in my labor when I could not resist picking one of its ephemeral seed heads, make my wish and blow its next generation into the blue sky.

The observation of the dandelion and its adaptations can be a fun jumping off point for the understanding of other flowers. Flower names often have interesting entomologies. The name dandelion comes from French "dente de lion" or "tooth of the lion" which may be from its jagged edged leaves.

First, try "Watching the Shepherd's Clock". Find a dandelion with flowers. Record these times: 1) when it first starts to open in the morning, 2) when it finishes opening in the morning and 3) when it closes at night. Observe these times during different kinds of weather such as rainy or cloudy days. Historically the dandelion was nicknamed the "shepherd's clock" because its flowers open at the beginning of the day and close at the end. See if you agree that the dandelion makes a good clock.

Second, try "How many seeds?" Count the number of seeds in a seed head then count the number of blossoms or seed heads on a plant. Multiply the two numbers and you'll have the number of seeds the plant produced. The number will be large.

Third, try making different crafts from dandelions. Braid a crown with a large collection of dandelions. Create a chain by taking off the flower heads, bending the stems and inserting the smaller end into the larger one. Make dandelion curls by cutting four slits in the stem and tearing each cut 2-3 inches. Then dip the divided stem into water and the stem pieces will curl up tightly. Lastly, try blowing bubbles through the stem. Just remove the blossom, dip one end in bubble solution and blow through the other end.

If after all this you are hungry, pick the leaves off a young plant that hasn't bloomed, pour bowling water over the leaves, let stand for about five minutes then eat with a little butter, salt and pepper. Bon appetite!