Friend or Foe?


I still love walking through a field of dandelion puffs -- a gentle reminder of the impermanence of things. They've cleverly adapted for survival by transforming their seeds into parachutes that ride the wind, then grow anywhere and everywhere. Botanists refer to these common plants as opportunists. On a manicured lawn, we have the perspective that the dandelion is a weed, only because it happily shows its yellow face to the sun. I was delighted to learn that it is a dear friend of the bees, who rely on it's nectar, and that dandelion tea has medicinal effects. Not so happy was sipping its unappealing flavour! Dandelion wine might be as good.

A fond childhood memory, you likely share, is picking the milky stalks, then blowing the fluffy ball to disperse its fuzz.  But first, close your eyes and make a wish!  

I am born as the sun,
But then turn into the moon.
I carry hopes on breezes
to find new roots in fertile soil.
~ Cecile Miller and Suzy Kassman

  
Near Long Lake, SK. 2020

Comments

  1. UnknownJuly 19, 2020 at 5:05 AM

    If you can find a pesticide free dandelions, the young leaves are fantastic as a fresh salad green or cooked with other greens in soups :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beneath My FeetJuly 19, 2020 at 7:46 PM

    Wonderful! Thanks I will give the young greens a try. They might be my cup of tea! :-)

    ReplyDelete

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