Dandelions--the North End Flower

If the North End were to have a floral emblem, it would have to be the dandelion.  In my neighbourhood, they run rampant.  If any other flower grew that prolifically, say, like a field of daisies, poppies, or tulips, people would be much more likely to call the show of bright colour a beautiful sight.  But not the dandelion.

Most view the dandelion as a persistent and problematic weed responsible for ruining their lawn.  In the suburbs and other more highly sought-after neighbourhoods, home owners go to great lengths to eliminate dandelions and anyone who takes a more laissez-faire approach is frowned upon.  It happens in my home-town, too.

Here, in the North End, with the high percentage of rental homes, there is much less emphasis on image and even less accountability.  And so, the dandelions thrive.  I imagine this causes some home-owners in our area great consternation.  Others have likely just given up fighting the inevitable.  And some, like me, are devising ways of adapting by eliminating lawns altogether.  I’m seeing a great deal of mulch going into new builds on my street.  I’m hoping to create low-maintenance landscape with perennials if I can just figure out a good design for my front yard.

Dandelions aren’t all bad though.  Did you know that the root is helpful for liver, kidney, and gall bladder health and a mild laxative?  Apparently, it aids in the production of bile (by the liver) which is needed to digest/convert fats.  It also acts as a diuretic, which means it helps the body release fluid from the cells, alleviating water retention and aiding in detoxification.  The leaves can be used as salad greens or in infusions and have similar benefits to the root.

So, the next time you have the satisfaction of pulling out a dandelion with its entire taproot intact, take a bite and enjoy the health benefits.  Just make sure you wash it, scrub it, and soak it for 5 or 10 minutes first—it’s much less bitter that way!  To aid you in your quest to remove dandelions, there are specially-designed dandelion forks available.  I imagine Pollock’s Hardware Co-op on Main Street would be a great place to look.

Can the dandelion teach us anything?  I wonder.  I think that it reminds us to look at what we consider to be problems in a new light, and to look for the good in people.