# Dandelions: Weeds or Flowers? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 27, 2003, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dandelions-weeds-or-flowers/184758 "2003-06-27T14:41:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![80sHairMetalMaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/8/ed655f/32.png) [@80sHairMetalMaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/80sHairMetalMaven)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dandelions-weeds-or-flowers/184758/1 "2003-06-27T14:41:28Z")
I am of the camp that believes that dandelions are flowers, not weeds. Weeds are not pretty…weeds have no purpose other than to be annoying. Dandelions are beautiful. You can eat the young leaves, press the flowers to make a decent wine and if you are desperate, toast and grind the roots to make a palatable coffee. A lot of people tell me that dandelions are weeds and must be destroyed with herbicides, stricken from all lawns and flowerbeds immediately. IDBB ---
**Author:** ![Andy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/aeb1de/32.png) [@Andy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dandelions-weeds-or-flowers/184758/2 "2003-06-27T15:00:38Z")
A vote here for ‘of less than cosmic importance’ Dandelion is a plant. Or a little tree. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dandelions-weeds-or-flowers/184758/3 "2003-06-27T15:02:05Z")
I’m not sure how polarised this debate will become, nor am I sure which side of the fence I’ll end up falling on. Dandelions are _plants_. If they are growing somewhere against your wishes, they may legitimately be called _weeds_. If you’re growing them deliberately (and I’m told they have a number of good cultivated varieties in France), then they are _vegetables_. If you allow them to reproduce, the sexual organs are called _flowers_. Botanically, they are a _Herb_. Weeds aren’t trying to annoy you on purpose, BTW. ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dandelions-weeds-or-flowers/184758/4 "2003-06-27T15:06:00Z")
Dandelions make nice salads, nice wine and breed like rabbits jacked up on Viagra. I’d put them down as massively invasive flowers. My entire back yards was a dandelion paradise, but the the ground was hard, lumpy and unpleasant to play on. When we had them eliminated it looked like I had 6" of snow back there. This year, now that they’re under control, I have next to none and the clover is looking great. A weed I like. ---
**Author:** ![80sHairMetalMaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/8/ed655f/32.png) [@80sHairMetalMaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/80sHairMetalMaven)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dandelions-weeds-or-flowers/184758/5 "2003-06-27T15:49:07Z")
My MIL insists that dandelions must be stricken from any garden, yard or side-bed because they will organically destroy your soil (or at least that’s what she told me). CG is of the same mind and kills them when spraying an all-purpose weed-killer on the lawn. There is not a weed-killer available that won’t kill dandelions unfortunately, or I’d be using it. Problem is…I don’t want weeds in my yard but I **do** want the dandelions. But I can’t kill the weeds without killing the dandelions. What am I to do? IDBB ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dandelions-weeds-or-flowers/184758/6 "2003-06-27T16:04:46Z")
Dig the dandelions and plant in a pot. They can develop massive tap roots so maybe go get a big strawberry planter and fill it with them. ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dandelions-weeds-or-flowers/184758/7 "2003-06-27T16:31:41Z")
Just pretend those weeds are Bad Boys and dig them! Leave the dandelions, pull the weeds. That way you get to keep what you want, don’t have to resort to chemical warfare, and get to spend time out in the yard. So says Duke, who calls them weeds. ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dandelions-weeds-or-flowers/184758/8 "2003-06-27T16:34:51Z")
I thought a “weed” was really just any plant that grew wherre its attendant human did not want it to. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dandelions-weeds-or-flowers/184758/9 "2003-06-27T18:19:32Z")
Ditto what **Celyn** and **Mangeout** said – a weed is any plant in your yard or garden that you don’t want there. As for dandelions – while I like blowing on the seed pods, those raggy leaves are just _damn_ ugly. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dandelions-weeds-or-flowers/184758/10 "2003-06-27T18:30:48Z")
A weed is anything that’s growing where you don’t want it to grow. If you have roses growing where you don’t want them, they’re weeds. Some people treat other people like weeds, for the same reason. ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dandelions-weeds-or-flowers/184758/11 "2003-06-27T18:40:18Z")
**Moderator’s Note:** Uprooting to IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dandelions-weeds-or-flowers/184758/12 "2003-06-27T18:54:54Z")
There is a website devoted to dandelions (big surprise) and the beneficial attributes of said humble plant. The medicinal and nutritional value of all parts of the dandelion are well documented, from treating liver disorders (and liver spots) to mitigating diabetes. The word comes from the French “dent de lyons” or “lion’s teeth”, if anybody cares. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dandelions-weeds-or-flowers/184758/13 "2003-06-27T19:59:44Z")
They are herbs and are possibly the most versatile herb out there that drives homeowners nuts. > [@](#): > > The humble little Dandelion has remarkable nutritional value, being\*\* very high in vitamins A and C, with more beta carotine than carrots and more potassium than broccoli or spinach, not to mention healthy doses of iron and copper for good measure. \*\* \* Medicinally, Dandelions are considered very safe and effective as a general tonic that helps strengthen the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, stomach, and intestines, improving bile flow and reducing inflammation in cases of hepatitis and cirrhosis. Dandelions also help to dissipate gallstones and are believed to improve kidney function, thereby improving overall health and clearing skin problems. \* > > Dandelion tea is the perfect choice for those with the above problems or those who lead relatively sedentary lifestyles and who experience discomfort associated with this, such as constipation, digestive disorders, indigestion, and general sluggishness and fatigue. Just one cup per day will yield noticeable results within the first few months. Tea may also be of benefit for many of the problems associated with diabetes and low blood sugar. > > Externally, \*\*the white sap \*\*from the stems or roots can be applied directly to ease the pain of sores and bee stings, and is useful in the elimination of warts, acne, and calluses. > > Dandelion coffee is made by grinding roasted roots, and makes a nice substitute for regular coffee, but without the caffeine (see main Dandelion page for instructions). People who can’t tolerate much coffee can drink as much as they please and reap the health benefits without any side-effects. For the sweets lover, ground root mixed with warm milk and a little sweetener makes a very tasty and nutritious creamy beverage with few calories. I’ve often wondered why you cannot buy dandelion seeds at stores. I know you can get them for free in the yard, but …wellll…I dunno. ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dandelions-weeds-or-flowers/184758/14 "2003-06-27T20:10:07Z")
Re. the name - dent de lion - they are also known as pis-een-lit, and were known to my mother as “pee the bed” - um - sounds as though there are serious diuretic effects involved here! ---
**Author:** ![Dogface](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@Dogface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogface)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dandelions-weeds-or-flowers/184758/15 "2003-06-27T20:38:52Z")
Horticulturally and agriculturally, a weed is any plant that is not where you want it to be. Some weeds have flowers, some do not. In that case, the status of dandelions is merely a matter of taste. Botanically, “weed” refers to specific traits of growth, spread, and hardiness. Under botanical eyes, dandelions are truly magnificent weeds, very impressive and worthy of much respect. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dandelions-weeds-or-flowers/184758/16 "2003-06-27T20:49:15Z")
The leaves are diuretic, the roots are not. I’ve heard them called piss-a-bed, somewhere. Culpeper, maybe? I dinna remember. That being said, I’m a negligent fella in the yardwork department. I let the dandelions take over-- no countermeasures for 2, maybe three years-- just regular mowing. Realized the error of my ways recently when I mowed the ‘lawn’, (I’m being really generous there,) and then went away for an extended week-end. Came back and found that my ‘lawn’ appeared to be almost a foot high again. I spent two days out there pulling the little blighters out by the roots. I’ve got blisters on me fingers. They are the very _weediest_ of the weeds. That being said, I agree that dandelions can be quite pretty. There’s a little house in my neighborhood that usually has a pretty good crop of them going, and, since the house is a squat little thing with green and yellow accents, it just seems _right_, somehow. I’ve admired it enough each time I walked past it that, eventually, I couldn’t help but [take a picture of it](http://216.232.71.251/~larry/miscpics/dandelion_house.jpg), in spite of the dubious propriety of taking snapshots of strangers’ homes. Of course, it looks like hell when the dandelions go to seed and bollocks up the perfect colour scheme – not to mention the rage that their immediate neighbors must feel when all those little airborne seeds drift where they’re not wanted. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dandelions-weeds-or-flowers/184758/17 "2003-06-27T21:35:20Z")
A weed is not only a plant that is growing where you don’t want it–a weed is also a thief, taking water and nutrients from the plants that you do want. In my yard, dandelions are weeds. They spread like wildfire and they are really hard to dig out. I do like the idea of putting some in a planter and not letting them go to seed. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dandelions-weeds-or-flowers/184758/18 "2003-06-27T21:45:43Z")
Dandelion coffee is superb though; it takes a lot of roots to make the stuff, but it is worth it. You roughly chop the roots, then roast them in a thin layer on a tray in the oven, then when they are light brown and crispy, you bash them into little bits and roast again until dark brown. Using them like ordinary ground coffee, it makes a wonderfully rich and aromatic cup with slight licorice overtones - I have served it to guests without telling them what it was and they complimented it. ---
**Author:** ![pantom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/34f0e0/32.png) [@pantom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pantom)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2003, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dandelions-weeds-or-flowers/184758/19 "2003-06-28T01:48:50Z")
I’m wondering, in that Dandelion House that Larry Mudd posted, if the dog mentioned in the sign eats the dandelions when his stomach is upset. I’ve also seen rabbits eat the whole head of the dandelion up in one swallow. Quite a sight. ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2003, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dandelions-weeds-or-flowers/184758/20 "2003-06-28T03:17:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mangetout \* > \*\*Weeds aren’t trying to annoy you on purpose, BTW. \*\* Like hell they’re not! Pass me the Round-Up[TM] brand selective herbicide, Mabel, I’m goin’ weed huntin’! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dandelions-weeds-or-flowers/184758.md?page=2)