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Matelea pilosa
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Lotus argophyllus var. niveus
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Harpochloa falx
April 21, 2007 : Taraxacum officinale
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Keywords: Asteraceae | Taraxacum officinale G.H. Weber ex Wiggers | Venice Beach, California
Botany Photo of the Day will have brief written entries on weekends, holidays and my vacations from April through September. – Daniel
Steve S. of Venice Beach, California has kindly shared today's photograph with us. Thank you!
The common dandelion is ubiquitous in Eurasia (where it is native except for the recent introduction to Svalbard) and North America (where it is not). A brief glimpse at the taxonomy and genetics of dandelion reveals an interesting story (including the fact that there is no type specimen), but more than I can share in a weekend entry – I'll have to follow-up with a different photograph at a future date.
An off-topic reminder to local residents: the garden is hosting a community Earth Day Celebration tomorrow (April 22) from 11am to 3pm.
Botany resource link: I missed announcing this prior to the program being aired, but I suspect it will be shown again: the Nova program First Flower on PBS. I don't have a television, so I haven't seen it, but Stannous F of San Francisco suggested that the link be shared. He's not steered me wrong yet! Though the online site doesn't share the program, it stands on its own as a learning and resource site with videos, links, photos and quizzes.
Posted by Daniel Mosquin at April 21, 2007 12:00 AM
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Comments
Posted by: Sarah Dixon at April 21, 2007 1:56 AM
Officinale shows it was a medecinal plant? If so the common name "Pissabed", gives it's use, I read somewhere that the common french name had a similar connotation. So does this effect linger in "Dandelion Wine"?
AB
Posted by: Big Al at April 21, 2007 6:53 AM
I noticed First Flower in my TiVo - will make a point to watch it now!
Posted by: Eric in SF at April 21, 2007 8:17 AM
Al, I corrected the spelling on the common name you suggested, in accordance with the spelling of the term on Wikipedia (and pretty much everywhere else on the web that references it that way). No idea re: the wine - I've only tried it once, a long time ago.
Posted by: Daniel Mosquin 
at April 21, 2007 8:58 AM
I watched "The First Flower". Aside from the interesting science, the wealth of recognizable garden flowers growing wild in China in a small area beside the road was totally amazing! I highly recommend watching!
Posted by: hfay at April 21, 2007 10:15 AM
Some botanists split it up into numerous apomictic microspecies - 250 of them in Britain alone!
Posted by: Michael F at April 21, 2007 5:31 PM
Close your Eyes...
Make a Wish...
Then Blow!
Posted by: elizabeth at April 22, 2007 9:48 AM
I agree with Sarah - I love dandelions! But the neighbors don't appreciate them, for some reason. So I found a solution when my children were little - I sent them out every morning to gather up all the new dandelion blooms for a fresh bouquet for my kitchen counter!
Posted by: Belinda Eastmond at April 22, 2007 5:05 PM
I too love the little common weed... Taraxacum! I have the neighborhood 7 & 8 year olds help me collect them at a penny a flower, ten leaves equals flower and roots are worth 3 pennies. They all scramble to see who can get the most! I use them to make medicines with... Great Kidney/Liver tonic and great for digestive tonic. I also use them as a diuretic and heart tonic.Helps with keeping the blood pressure down and eliminating excess fluids.
how could anyone NOT love their happy upward facing sunny faces... my grand son calls them dandy lions...
Posted by: Síabhra at April 23, 2007 5:15 PM
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Hi Daniel - our roadside verges in the UK are currently gay with countless dandelions, a great succession to the daffodils that are just over. What an under-rated plant - if it was only more difficult to grow it would be a highly desirable garden plant!