Taraxacum

The dandelions are not a genus of plants we have explored in detail! We have  T. pseudoroseum, from central Asia, which is similar to our native dandelion, but with rather sweet pink flowers. Although dandelions are treated as a weed, they are edible and have a long tradition of being cultivated. With our native T. officinale, the leaves can be rather bitter, but this is reduced by blanching. Roots can be roasted, ground and used as a hot drink. Depending upon classification, there maybe be around 250 naturally occurring varieties across the UK.