The dandelion (Taxaracum officinale) is one of the most successful weeds. Surprising that ease of identification doesn't equate to ease of eradication. The common name comes from the French "dent de lion" lion's tooth, alluding to the characteristic leaf shape. Ironically the French commonly call this "pis en lit" referring to the diuretic effect of the plant when eaten. All well so far, but wait what is this:
I have hunted high and low for an ID
Turns out that there are 240 identified dandelion species in the UK and that they can hybridise freely into so called "microspecies". Looks like this is one of them. And here's another one:
If you have an alternative theory do let me know. In the meantime these weeds that will be left to flower - if only to firm up the ID.
Below are two more overwintering rosettes that could at first glance be dandelions, but definitely are not. I think they are both smooth sowthistle
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| Smooth Sowthistle. |
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| Smooth Sowthistle - Sonchus oleraceus |
All these rosettes - only one song:
We havebdandelions growing in our grass paths on the allotment. As the,grass is cut they produce shorter and shorter stems until the flowers appear at ground level. I also love the ribbons of dandelions that grow along the edge of the motorway due to seeds being wafted along by the ‘wind’ from passing vehicles.
ReplyDeleteNow that's what I call adaptability! Those motorway dandelions have got competition from the rosebay willowherb.
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