Taraxacum mongolicum Seeds | Mongolian Dandelion
LATIN NAME: Taraxacum mongolicum
COMMON NAME: Mongolian Dandelion
Plant Profile
Known to gardeners as Mongolian Dandelion, Taraxacum mongolicum is a noteworthy species in the dandelion family. Bright-yellow, many-petalled flower heads open through a very long season, and toothed, dark-green leaves lie flat in a neat rosette, giving plant its name. Hollow stems hold flower heads well above leaves, and fine, round, white seed clocks follow, scattering their parachuted seeds on the first warm breeze. Plant is a fine, easy, generous resident of lawn, wayside and meadow, and it is one of the most familiar of all the wild plants. The blooms are worked steadily by bees for as long as they are open. Together these qualities explain its long-standing appeal to gardeners.
Science & Biotechnology
Botanists studying the dandelion family regularly include Taraxacum mongolicum in comparative work, and the species also appears in horticultural trials aimed at gardeners and growers. Dandelion sits firmly in middle of ongoing studies of common wild plants, and plant has been looked at for a very long time for milky sap and toothed leaves. In practice, its long garden history means the grower inherits a plant of known and dependable habits.
Uses & Benefits
Mongolian Dandelion works well in borders, containers and dedicated beds. Dandelion does a lot of work for such a common plant. It is a fine, generous, easy plant of lawn and meadow, and it is a dependable friend of early-season insects. Dandelion is one of the first flowers of the year, and the bright-yellow heads are a dependable feast for the early bees when little else is open. Routine care after establishment is refreshingly light.
The dandelion is a complete folk pharmacy: the root is a classic bitter for liver and digestion, the leaves a potassium-rich diuretic green, the flowers a honey-wine tradition, and every part is edible. Few weeds are so generous.
Growing from Seed
Mongolian Dandelion is one of those generous plants that come along well from seed. Level a tray of loose seed compost, sow evenly, cover to about the seed’s own depth, and keep it moist in full light. Grow the youngsters on steadily in pots until well rooted, then move them to their final positions.
Our Take
Mongolian Dandelion repays a little patience at sowing time with plenty of garden presence later.
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