Obovate dandelion (Taraxacum obovatum)

Obovate dandelion (Taraxacum obovatum)
(c) faluke, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by faluke

At a glance

Lifecycle
Perennial (hardy)
Exposure
Full sun
Frost limit
−28.9 °C

Cultivation

Prefers a well-drained humus-rich soil in full sun or light shade. According to one report this species reproduces apomictically and sexually. Apomixy is an asexual method of seed production where each seed is genetically identical to the parent plant. Occasionally seed is produced sexually, the resulting seedlings are somewhat different to the parent plants and if these plants are sufficiently distinct from the parents and then produce apomictic seedlings these seedlings are, in theory at least, a new species.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and either surface-sow or only just cover the seed. Make sure the compost does not dry out. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, choosing relatively deep pots to accommodate the tap root. Plant them out in early summer. Division in early spring as the plant comes into growth.

Edible uses

Leaves - raw or cooked. They have a mild flavour. The following uses are also probably applicable to this species, though we have no records for them[K] Root - cooked. Flowers - raw or cooked. The whole plant is dried and used as a tea. A pleasant tea is made from the flowers. The leaves and the roots can also be used to make tea. The root is dried and roasted to make a coffee substitute.

Habitat

Not known

Native range

S. Europe - Mediterranean.

Same genus