Taraxacum obovatum
| Taraxacum obovatum | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 0.5' |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Taraxacum obovatum
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.
Cultivation: Prefers a well-drained humus-rich soil in full sun or light shade.
According to one report this species reproduces apomictically and sexually[1], whilst another report says that only apomictic seed production is undergone[2]. 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.
Range: S. Europe - Mediterranean.
Edibility: Leaves - raw or cooked. They have a mild flavour[3].
The following uses are also probably applicable to this species, though we have no records for them[K]
Root - cooked[4].
Flowers - raw or cooked[4]. The unopened flower buds can be used in fritters[4].
The whole plant is dried and used as a tea[5][4].
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.
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ Tutin, Tom et al.. Flora Europaea. Cambridge University Press, 1964.
- ↑ Polhamus, Loren. Rubber: Botany, Cultivation and Utilization.
- ↑ Les Ecologistes de l'Euzière. Les Salades Sauvages. 1994.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.