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dandelion

dandelion

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

dandelion [Eng. form of Fr.,=lion's tooth], any plant of the genus Taraxacum of the family Asteraceae ( aster family), perennial herbs of wide distribution in temperate regions. The dandelion has a rosette of deep-toothed leaves (the name is usually attributed to this) and a bright yellow flower followed in fruit by a round head of white down, an adaptation for wind distribution of the seedlike fruits. The common dandelion ( T. officinale ) is native to Europe but widely naturalized. Although it is considered in the N United States chiefly as a lawn pest because of the easily dispersed seeds and the deep root, it is also cultivated both for medicine and for food. The young leaves resemble chicory and are used for salad greens and as a potherb, especially in Europe. The roots may be roasted and used as a coffee substitute. The flower heads are utilized for dandelion wine and are good forage for bees. In medicine the roots have been dried and used chiefly as a bitter tonic and laxative. The Russian dandelion ( T. kok-saghyz ) has been cultivated for the milky juice typical of the genus, as a source of rubber. Dandelions are classified in the division Magnoliophyta , class Magnoliopsida, order Asterales, family Asteraceae.

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"dandelion." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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dandelion

A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition | 2005 | | Copyright

dandelion The leaves of the weed Taraxacum officinale may be eaten as a salad or cooked. In France dandelion greens are known as pis‐en‐lit because of their diuretic action. A 50‐g portion of the leaves is a good source of vitamins C and A (4000 μg carotene); a source of calcium and iron; supplies 25 kcal (105 kJ). The root can be cooked as a vegetable, or may be roasted and used as a substitute for coffee.
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DAVID A. BENDER. "dandelion." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DAVID A. BENDER. "dandelion." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-dandelion.html

DAVID A. BENDER. "dandelion." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-dandelion.html

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dandelion

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English | 2009 | Copyright

dan·de·li·on / ˈdandiˌlīən/ • n. a widely distributed plant (genus Taraxacum) of the daisy family, with a rosette of leaves, bright yellow flowers followed by globular heads of seeds with downy tufts, and stems containing a milky latex. ORIGIN: late Middle English: from French dent-de-lion, translation of medieval Latin dens leonis ‘lion's tooth.’

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"dandelion." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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dandelion

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable | 2006 | | Copyright

dandelion a widely distributed yellow-flowered weed of the daisy family. The name (recorded from late Middle English) comes from French dent-de-lion, translation of medieval Latin dens lionis ‘lion's tooth’, because of the jagged shape of the leaves.
dandelion clock the downy spherical seed head of a dandelion, from the child's game of blowing away the seeds to find out what time it is.
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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "dandelion." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "dandelion." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-dandelion.html

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "dandelion." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-dandelion.html

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dandelion

A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology | 2004 | | Copyright

dandelion. The common plant or weed (Taraxacum officinale) with yellow blossoms and edible leaves was thought to have curative powers in the Celtic countries, especially for heart problems and diseases caused by fairies. Ir. caisearbhán or, when used as medicine, caol dearg; ScG am beárnan Br'de; Manx lus y minnag; W dant y llew; Corn. dans-lew; Bret. c'hwervizon. See also FAIRY HERB.
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JAMES MacKILLOP. "dandelion." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JAMES MacKILLOP. "dandelion." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O70-dandelion.html

JAMES MacKILLOP. "dandelion." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O70-dandelion.html

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dandelion

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Copyright

dandelion Widespread perennial weed, with leaves growing from the base and yellow composite flowers. It reproduces by means of parachute seeds. The leaves are used in salads; the flowers in winemaking. Family Asteraceae (Compositae); species Taraxacum officinale.
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dandelion

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | | Copyright

dandelion XV (dent de lyon). — F. dent-de-lion, rendering medL. dēns leōnis ‘lion's tooth’; so called from the toothed leaves.
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T. F. HOAD. "dandelion." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "dandelion." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-dandelion.html

T. F. HOAD. "dandelion." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-dandelion.html

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dandelion

A Dictionary of Plant Sciences | 1998 | | Copyright

dandelion See TARAXACUM.
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "dandelion." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "dandelion." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-dandelion.html

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dandelion

Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes | 2007 | Copyright

dandelion •Brian, cyan, Gaian, Geminian, Hawaiian, ion, iron, Ixion, lion, Lyon, Mayan, Narayan, O'Brien, Orion, Paraguayan, prion, Ryan, scion, Uruguayan, Zion •andiron •gridiron, midiron •dandelion • anion • Bruneian •cation, flatiron •gowan, Palawan, rowen •anthozoan, bryozoan, Goan, hydrozoan, Minoan, protozoan, protozoon, rowan, Samoan, spermatozoon •Ohioan • Chicagoan • Virgoan •Idahoan •doyen, Illinoisan, Iroquoian •Ewan, Labuan, McEwan, McLuhan, Siouan •Saskatchewan • Papuan • Paduan •Nicaraguan • gargantuan •carbon, chlorofluorocarbon, graben, hydrocarbon, Laban, radiocarbon •ebon • Melbourne • Theban •gibbon, ribbon •Brisbane, Lisbon •Tyburn •auburn, Bourbon •Alban • Manitoban • Cuban •stubborn •Durban, exurban, suburban, turban, urban

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

Dandelions: happy signs of spring.(THE HOME FORUM)
Newspaper article from: The Christian Science Monitor; 4/10/2008
Dandelions: the bright lemony grin of spring.(THE HOME FORUM)
Newspaper article from: The Christian Science Monitor; 4/19/2007
Outdoor discovery: dandelions: loved and hated!
Magazine article from: New York State Conservationist; 4/1/2007

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dandelion. (Image by Nino Barbieri, CC)

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