DANDELION

The great dandelion flush of April is under way.

They flower most of the year but now is their peak time.

As gardeners we ae not so keen but along the roadside verges and in fields they are magnificent.  One of our beautidful wild flowers that is NOT in decline for once.

This one is still untangling its centre.

These two are fully open.

Each of the strap-like petals is really a very small flower or floret with four grooves and five teeth at the end.

There are many plants in this family with similar yellow flowers, but only the true dandelion has those hollow stems full of white latex.

The leaves can be used as a salad or as a diuretic medicine, the flowers can be used to make a country wine and the roasted roots were used as a coffee substitute during war time food shortages.

But I just love to see 'em - except in my flower and vegetable garden at home.

Each dandelion is a great source of nectar for bees and beetles, 

although we unkindly underestimate it as a weed