Dandelions. Hate ’em? Love ’em? No matter how you feel about these plants, there’s no contesting that they’re among the most recognizable in the world. They are one type of plant that nearly anyone around the world can recognize and name with a simple glance. To be honest, dandelions are probably the most “successful” plants in nature. They’ve been on Earth for longer than humans and their form factor is perfectly refined; the only thing dandelions need to spread is the wind! Unfortunately, dandelions have a pretty negative perception in the modern world. Did you know that across history, this negative perception wasn’t as pervasive as it is now? Interested in knowing more? Read below for dandelion wall art facts.
History & Beauty
- Although it is impossible to trace where dandelions truly originated from, we do know that they are native to both European and Asian lands. The earliest recording of dandelions in history can be traced back to the heyday of the Romans, with the Anglo Saxon tribes of Britain and the Normans of ancient France being among the groups who used them. Back then, dandelions were used for medicinal purposes. Dandelions have since established themselves in the Americas and Australia. Part of what makes dandelions such a notable plant through history is the fact that it can be grown nearly anywhere; fields, lawns, forest, gardens and even barren deserts can all maintain dandelions.
- In modern times, what do people do when they see a dandelion growing in their lawn or garden? Most people immediately remove it! Dandelions look invasive and don’t mesh well with other plants visually. Did you know that this modern perception of dandelions was not always carried by ancient peoples? Dandelions were once considered beautiful! In fact, old recordings from Europe details gardens that were composed of nothing but dandelions! In Japan, there were research and cultivation groups formed to maintain dandelion gardens and to cultivate new dandelion varieties. Read below for more dandelion wall art facts.
Medicine & Health
- Dandelions have practical uses that many people today are not aware of. Throughout history, dandelions have been used as a natural first aid kit. For millennia, dandelions have been crushed, stirred, pressed, and powdered to create tonics that have been proven to treat many bodily ailments. For instance, dandelions have played a large part in helping the body filter toxins from the bloodstream in cooperation with the liver. Even today, dandelions have specific used in medicinal fields. Did you know that dandelions, when pressed into pill form, are a natural diuretic (a type of medicine that helps people urinate)? Dandelions are much more useful than they seem!
- Have you ever thought about eating dandelions? Although the actual flower (the white section of the dandelion with the fuzzy white seeds) may not be particularly appetizing, there are other parts that you can eat. For instance, the green dandelion leaves that sprout around the dandelion flower are edible. These are called dandelion greens. Try Tossing them into a salad, or sautéing them in oil! Dandelions have more Vitamin A than spinach, more Vitamin C than tomatoes, and contain tons of calcium, potassium and iron! Read below for more dandelion wall art facts.
Lawn & Survival
- As previously mentioned, most people tend to pluck dandelions by the root when they see them growing in their lawn. If you’re someone who does this, you may be making the wrong choice! Dandelions are actually good for the health of your lawn, even if they may be visually unappealing. Did you know that dandelions have long, wide-spreading roots? These roots have the ability to loosen hard-packed soil. When soil is loose, it becomes aerated. When soil has the appropriate amounts of air, soil erosion is reduce. Additionally, dandelion roots are able to reach deeper into the ground, providing precious nutrients to your lawn that you wouldn’t normally be privy to.
- Dandelions have existed for so long on Earth because they have been crafted and refined by nature to endure nearly any environment. How and why are dandelions so pervasive? Well, once dandelions start to grow, they grow fast. In fact, they go from seed to bud in a matter of days. Dandelions are also long lived; just one plant can live for years if undisturbed. Another thing that makes dandelions so common are their roots. Once they’ve grown long enough, they eventually split and become new flowers! Did you enjoy reading these dandelion wall art facts?
Conclusion
So, now that you know more about dandelions have your perceptions about them changed at all? Although they may not be the best looking flower, they definitely have specific uses. We should appreciate dandelions for what they’ve provided us throughout history, and what they still give us today. Next time you see a dandelion in your lawn or garden, do you think you’ll pluck? Maybe you’ll let it stay for just awhile! Whatever you choose to do, we hope you enjoyed reading these dandelion wall art facts!