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Prairie Rose Chapter

Dandelions

**ARCHIVED POST **

by Marcia Miller

TEXAS DANDELION
Pyrrhopappus pauciflorus
Aster Family

A deciduous, annual plant that grows to about 1 foot and blooms March – June in open grassland, usually dry clay or sandy loam soils.  It takes little water and can bloom in sun or part shade.  Flowers open in the morning and close up by around noon.  There can be multiple flowers and leaves off the stem.  While the flowers look almost identical, the Texas Dandelion has dark purple to black “anther tubes”.

Although called Texas Dandelion, it is also called False Dandelion since it is not a true Dandelion.  The leaves lack the sharp, spearpoints and backwards pointing pointy lobes of a true dandelion.

Like the common dandelion, it is also edible, although not quite as nutritious. The young leaves and root are edible and contain minerals and vitamins C and A.  Please do not attempt to eat any plant without researching how to prepare it.

COMMON DANDELION
Taraxacum officinale
Aster Family

Common Dandelion’s bright yellow flowers and deeply lobed leaves are familiar to just about anyone in the world who goes outside.  It can bloom from January – December.  A full sun perennial that needs consistent moisture, it is the bane of most urban yards.  There’s a good reason for this as its taproot can be up to 15 feet long!  No wonder we can’t get rid of this invasive pest.

There are two positive things that can be said about this plant.  One is that pollinators like the flowers.  Two is that the leaves, flowers and roots are edible, so if you don’t like this plant, eat it…or perhaps you like this plant because you can eat it.  It contains minerals and vitamins A, B, thiamin, riboflavin and protein.  This plant is bitter, so please don’t eat unless you research how to prepare it first.

 

**ARCHIVED POST**

**ARCHIVED POST LINKS & PICTURES MAY NOT WORK**

**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: prairierose

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About the Region

New Braunfels, the location of our Fall 2024 Symposium, straddles both the Edwards Plateau Ecoregion and the Blackland Prairie ecoregion. Interstate 35 divides the city of New Braunfels; its path through the city closely parallels the boundary of these two ecoregions, with the Edwards Plateau on the west side and the Blackland Prairies region to the east. The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our four host chapters (New Braunfels, Lindheimer, Guadalupe, and the Hill Country chapters) are located in one or both of the ecoregions above. However, the eastern portion of Guadalupe County also falls within the Post Oak Savanna ecoregion. Annual rainfall averages 35 to 45 inches, with higher averages to the east. A wide variety of hardwood trees are found, including several species of oaks, elms, and in the Bastrop area, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Grasses and forbs dominate in the open savannas, with most common grass being little bluestem. Ranching, agriculture, and fire suppression have allowed woody species to encroach on the once-open savannas.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason