Grazing animals eat the juicy leaves, while bees prefer to feed on the nectar-rich flowers - the dandelion is not only known to animals, but also to people, who view it as a medicinal plant and culinary herb or weed. But not all dandelions are the same
How many species of dandelions are there?
The dandelion includes more than 400 species worldwide that belong to the Asteraceae plant family. Typical features are toothed leaves, yellow basket flowers and fluffy seed heads. The most important species in Germany is the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale).
More than 400 species worldwide
There are more than 400 species of dandelions worldwide! The species belong to the plant family Asteraceae. Dandelions are found in our latitudes as well as in the tropics and the Arctic. But the majority, such as the bog dandelion and the Silesian dandelion, are located in temperate zones.
Characteristics that all dandelion species have in common
All dandelion species have the typical toothed leaves, yellow basket flowers and fluffy seed heads. Here are other common features:
- perennial
- herbaceous
- edible
- 5 to 40 cm high
- contain white milk juice
- have taproots
- Leaves are arranged in rosettes
Differences between species
There are species whose flowers are smaller or larger, have a slightly whitish color or have a hint of orange. Other flowers are less filled with ray florets. The seed heads are usually similar. Only the individual 'umbrellas' can differ in their length and shape.
The most obvious differences are the leaves of the individual species. There are species with extremely narrow and long leaves. The leaves can be strongly toothed or almost smooth-edged. Their color can be more light green or deep dark green. The end can be tapered or more rounded.
The most important species in this country: the common dandelion
While hardly anyone knows the swamp dandelion, the hooked dandelion, the bog dandelion, the Silesian dandelion or the Russian dandelion, the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is extremely well known. It is the most common in this country.
The common dandelion, which is often grown in Germany, has the following characteristics:
- Origin in Asia and Europe
- up to 30 cm high
- 10 to 30 cm long leaves
- Leaves: strongly lobed, deeply cut and serrated
- 3 to 5 cm wide basket flowers
- Flowering time: from the beginning of April to May
Tip
The dandelion from the genus Leontodon is a completely different species than Taraxacum.
