Wild Forage

Dandelion

Taraxacum officinale

Common lawn and field weed with a hollow, leafless flower stalk and a toothed leaf rosette.

Dandelion: Whole plant — Whole plantPhoto: Matthew Gerke · CC BY · source

Dandelion: Leaf — LeafPhoto: Matthew Gerke · CC BY · source

Dandelion: Flower. Flower head from below: the outer green bracts curl back — FlowerFlower head from below: the outer green bracts curl backPhoto: botanygirl · CC BY · source

Dandelion: Flower — FlowerPhoto: botanygirl · CC BY · source

Dandelion: Habitat — HabitatPhoto: Shams948 · CC0 · source

Confirm EVERY point before you eat it

One flower head per hollow, unbranched, leafless stalk
Ground-level rosette of deeply toothed, lobed leaves; no leaves on the flower stalk
Milky white sap when a stem is broken
Deep taproot that is white inside when broken

0 of 4 confirmed. If any point does not match, it is not this plant.

Look-alikes to rule out

Cat's earHarmless
Flower stalk is forked or branched with tiny scale-like bracts and leaves are hairy. Also edible.
Sow thistleHarmless
Taller leafy stalks with clasping stem leaves and prickly-edged leaves. Edible when young.

Warnings

Avoid if you are allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies or other members of the daisy (Asteraceae) family.
May interact with diuretics, blood thinners and lithium. Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding because there is no good safety data.

In season

Leaves are best before flowering; roots are best in fall.

Habitat

Fields, gardens, disturbed ground, lawns.

Parts used

leaves, flowers, roots

Preparation and use

Young leaves raw or cooked (bitterness rises as flowers form); flowers for fritters or tea; roots roasted.

Harvest note

Skip lawns, roadsides and pet areas. Herbicide, runoff and dog contamination are the real risks.

Backpack Guide: Dandelion — Positive ID →

Educational reference only. Never eat a wild plant or mushroom based on a website or app. Confirm with an experienced forager, your local extension office, or a mycological club. Poison Control (US): 1-800-222-1222. Call 911 for severe symptoms.