Dandelions: Dynamic nutrient accumulators of the plant community!

Most people see dandelions(Taraxicum officinale) as a nuisance. But this little herbaceous plant serves many functions in the natural world. First of all, the long deep tap root will pull nutrients from deep in ground, making the nutrients available to other plants in the area. Permaculturists refer to plants that perform this function as nutrient accumulators. The nutrient accumulator pulls minerals from deep in the earth and makes them available to other plants when the leaves of the nutrient accumulators die back or parts of the root break off and start to compost.

Dandelions have something to offer people too. The leaves are delicious when harvested before the plant flowers. Dandelions are as high in calcium as 4 oz of milk. Dandelions are also high in vitamin A and C, as well as potassium and iron. In the South, the flowers are traditionally fried and served at BBQ's. The petals of the flowers can also be used to flavor wine. Dandelion wine is like summer in a bottle on a dark, cold Indiana winter night. Dandelion roots can be dried and used to make a tea. The root is considered a diuretic and has been said to stimulate appetite and detoxify the liver.

Because dandelions are so good at pulling things up from deep in the ground, care must be taken when harvesting them for human consumption. Why not allow a couple of dandelions to grow under organic blueberry bushes, or in a spot in the vegetable garden that they will not compete too much with the crops. Just be sure to pick the flowers before they go to seed!