An abundance of dandelions

In the spring and the early summer, the Bøtø area is a sea of yellow flowers. It throngs with buttercups, cinquefoils and, above all, the large and slightly fluffy dandelions. Dandelions are a familiar and usually well-liked plant when seen in nature, but not at all popular when they show up in the lawn and garden.

Most people think that all dandelions are the same species that grows everywhere but actually there are several hundred different species of dandelions in Denmark. It’s not easy for beginners to tell the difference, but if you are willing, there is a big task ahead of you, mostly because no-one has made a proper study of dandelions at Bøtø. Maybe there are rare species growing here that don’t grow anywhere else.

In the meantime, you could add some finely chopped, small dandelions to a salad, and the thin, white, milky sap can be used as prevention and first aid if you come into close contact with stinging nettles.