06/10/2024
Just a reminder to those in the Northern Hemisphere that Dandelions are a key source of early nectar to Pollinators, flowering normally begins in a few weeks time but we're already getting reports of Dandelions appearing across the hemisphere, so consider leaving a few plants to flower if you are mowing π
Dandelion (genus Taraxacum) are flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, which consists of species commonly known as dandelions native to Eurasia and to North America, but the two commonplace species in the wider world, T. officinale and T. erythrospermum, were also introduced from Europe and now propagate as wildflowers in those regions including North Americawhere they are considered introduced. Both species are edible in their entirety. The common name dandelion comes from French "dent-de-lion", meaning "lion's tooth". Like other members of the family Asteraceae, they have very small flowers collected together into a composite flower head. Each single flower in a head is called a floret. In part due to their abundance along with being a generalist species, dandelions are one of the most vital early spring nectar sources for a wide host of pollinators that themselves are critical to pollination of later flowering plants. Although they are appearing earlier, May-June is a peak blooming time critical for Pollinators.
