What is the lifespan of a dandelion?

Individual plants may survive for 10 to 13 years in undisturbed sites. Dandelion seeds can form a relatively persistent seedbank. Seed in soil has a half-life of 3 months. If buried, a few seeds may still remain viable at the end of 5 years.

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What's the life cycle of a dandelion?

They start as seeds on the ground. The seeds germinate and begin to grow. Seedlings emerge from the seeds and grow into mature plants. The mature plants will develop flowers on them that produce more seeds.

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What happens when a dandelion flower dies?

As you saw in the timelapse, once the flower head has matured, it closes up and the withered flowers contract into a bud-like shape and fall away, leaving just the tufty white parts called pappi, which will help wind disperse the dandelion fruits or cypsela.

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What does a dandelion turn into?

This flower (Taraxacum officinale) is found worldwide. And, as many a child discovers to their delight, when a dandelion sets seed, the flower (actually, hundreds of tiny florets) turns into a mass of seeds known as a dandelion clock.

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Do yellow dandelions turn into white ones?

Yellow dandelion petals eventually dry out and reveal a seed head. During this transition between being a white and yellow dandelion, the weed looks like a slender green tube on top of a thin stalk. It may have a small tuft of feathery white seeds sticking out.

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? Dandelion Growing from Seed to Seed Head (1 Year Time-Lapse) Full

24 related questions found

Why should you not pick dandelions?

Dandelions Break Ground

“They are among the first weeds to colonize disturbed land where other plants won't grow. Their strong roots can break through the toughest soil and you will often find them growing through concrete,” a fact that frustrates lawn purists, because they absolutely flourish with soil and sun.

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Why should you not pull dandelions?

Ecologically they are becoming very important as a food source for domestic and wild species of bees, particularly in early spring because they grow so soon.

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Are dandelions native to Australia?

Dandelions are native to Eurasia, but have been introduced to North America, South America, India (where it hadn't reached naturally), Australia, New Zealand and probably anywhere else where Europeans, the people, have migrated.

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What is the purpose of a dandelion?

Dandelions are good for your lawn. Their wide-spreading roots loosen hard-packed soil, aerate the earth and help reduce erosion. The deep taproot pulls nutrients such as calcium from deep in the soil and makes them available to other plants.

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What happens if you dip a dandelion in water?

The dandelion seed head will come out almost completely unscathed and…completely dry! Why not try this little experiment for yourself? It's really easy to do and great to do with children. All you need is a glass of water and a dandelion that has gone to seed - also called a dandelion clock.

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What happens if you mow a dandelion?

Although dandelions that have been mowed down will grow back, destroying developing flowers before they are able to mature into seed distributors prevents the opportunity for new germination. Improving soil conditions through composting can also reduce dandelion growth.

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Why do you rub a dandelion under your chin?

REMEMBER?? If you rub a dandelion under your chin and your skin turns yellow, you like butter -- at least according to an old wives tale found in cultures worldwide. Blow away the dandelion seeds and you can tell the future by counting how many seeds are left, according to other superstitions.

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Do dandelions regrow after cutting?

Buds grow from the uppermost area of the root, producing a crown that can regenerate “new” plants even though the plant is cut off at or below the soil surface. Sections of the root as short as 1 inch in length are also capable of producing new plants.

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How many times does a dandelion bloom?

Dandelions bloom in both spring and fall – the spring is the heavier of the two blooms – when days are less than 12 hours long.

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Do dandelions go away on their own?

Dandelions are broadleaf, herbaceous perennials that die back in the winter, though the plant's roots live on underground. In the early fall, nutrients are transferred from the leaves to the roots, making this the best time to use herbicide.

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What is a dandelion called when it turns white?

Eventually, all those beautiful flowers eventually turn to white globes of exposed seeds that are often called "puffballs." Dandelions grow so successfully because those puffballs disperse their seeds over long distances in a stiff breeze.

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What happens if a human eats a dandelion?

Highly nutritious

From root to flower, dandelions are highly nutritious plants loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Dandelion greens can be eaten cooked or raw and are an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K. They also contain vitamin E, folate, and small amounts of other B vitamins ( 1 ).

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Can I eat dandelions in my yard?

The dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is an abundant “weed” plant that also happens to be edible. In fact, nearly the entire plant can be consumed in one way or another. The only inedible part is the stem, which contains a very bitter, milky substance.

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Does picking dandelions help?

Dear Reader: Yes, picking the flowers will stop seed production, and it is good exercise. This does not kill the plant, which will bloom several times during the growing season.

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What are dandelions called in Australia?

In Australia, dandelion is usually referred to as a weed and generally sprayed with poison or pulled out.

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Are dandelions edible in Australia?

Eating Dandelion Leaves

If you don't like the bitterness your options are to either mask the taste with another flavour (like a strong salad dressing) or to leech out the lactones by boiling the leaves. If you choose to boil the leaves make sure you only do so for around 3 to 5 minutes.

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Why are dandelions called Wet the beds?

The French have another name for them — "pee the bed"

The French word [for dandelion] is pissenlit, which translates to "pee the bed." Dandelions are a diuretic and in fact they are as strong as some of the commercial products.

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Why does my yard have so many dandelions?

Considering how deep their taproots get, it is best to control them before they go to seed.. The cause of dandelions in your yard can depend on several factors, such as extended warm periods, excess moisture in the soil, and sunny days, that encourage growth and germination of these weeds.

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Does picking dandelions make them spread?

It does seem that way sometimes, but the short answer is no. Picking flowers reduces the amount of seeds that are produced, which means fewer new dandelion plants will sprout.

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Are dandelions weeds or flowers?

Dandelion is a perennial weed of lawns, landscape ornamental beds, and nurseries. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) produces a deep taproot, which makes hand removal difficult for established plants. Leaves grow in a basal rosette.

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