Description
Taraxacum leucanthum | White & Yellow Common Dandelion
Taraxacum leucanthum is a hard-to-find dandelion variety with white petals and a yellow center with a native range of Afghanistan to Siberia to Mongolia. It does not appear to have a common name, so we gave it one– ‘White & Yellow’ Dandelion. It’s similar in appearance to Pink Dandelion and Japanese White Dandelion, but is in fact different and almost impossible to come across these days.
Taraxacum leucanthum has shiny, hairless, deeply-notched, toothed, spatula-like leaves that funnel rain to the roots. The hollow stems support the bright white & yellow, round flowers. The flower petals can start out a pink-blush color before fully unfurling and turning to white. The flower head appears to be one large flower, but it’s actually comprised of many tiny individual flowers called ‘ray florets’ that open up in the morning sun and close in the evening or during gloomy weather. After 5-7 days the flower head transforms into a spherical puff ball of seeds with extensions on them that serve as a parachute and helps dispersal by wind. These plants not only have one of the best means of seed dispersal, traveling up to 5 miles away, but they are perennials, too!
‘White & Yellow’ Dandelion plants can be grown in full sun to part shade. Plants grown in part shade are often superior in size to ones grown in full sun. They also respond well to fertilization. They are a great marker for a toxin-free area, as they are sensitive to pesticides and herbicides. A yard that’s free of dandelions is surely one where poisons have been sprayed.
Dandelions are an edible, hardy, perennial flowering herb that’s easy to grow with little-to-no care or attention. They’ve been used for thousands of years and are considered to be native to the Mediterranean area where they were known quite well by the ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks, as well as in traditional Chinese herbalism. While many people think of the dandelion as a pesky weed, they are actually highly nutritious, containing vitamins A, B, C, and D, as well as minerals, such as iron, potassium, and zinc.
The entire Taraxacum leucanthum dandelion plant is useful. The leaves are used to add flavor to salads, sandwiches, and teas. The roots are used in some coffee substitutes, and the flowers are used to make wines. Dandelion has also been used to make dyes. Pale yellow dye was made from the yellow dandelion flower and a purplish hue was derived from the inner ribs of dandelion leaves.
Various pollinators visit dandelion flowers, particularly early on in the year when almost nothing else is blooming. Honey bees, mason bees, flies, ants, and others.
Type: Perennial
Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
Mature height: 14-16 inches
Mature width: 20-24 inches
Hardiness zones: 4-10
