Dispatch O2
yapízapi iyéčheča
Lakota for Dandelion
Species: Taraxacum officinale
Family: Asteraceae
Other Common Names: Bitterwort, blow-ball, Irish daisy, lion’s tooth, dent de lion (French), wet-a-bed, piss-a-bed, mole’s salad
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If you’re reading this, it’s safe to say that Dandelion has always been a part of our lives. Lately, we see its bright pop of gold against vibrant green grass, grey concrete paths, and black pavement alike. I also see its happy sway in the garden bed where it grows encouraged and unbothered - the stems of its inflorescence tall and strong. The full size of its base is nearly a foot wide!
A common food for many indigenous peoples of North America, I recently discovered that it is also a culturally important plant of my ancestors, the Lakota people. To Native peoples, every plant has a purpose and all parts of the Dandelion are edible from root to flower. In addition to its nutritional value it also served Native peoples as a gastrointestinal aid, wound dressing, and a cleansing alternative due to its antibacterial properties.
Last year I struggled to start my first Dandelion seeds (only two out of four sprouted and survived). The two successful seedlings flowered for the first time this week and I am mesmerized. The flowers have perfect symmetry. Reminiscent of small suns, the narrow petals seem to shine out like sun rays. The blooms open and close with the light of day and you can watch this process in real time.
These photos were taken an hour apart ☀️
This past Friday I sowed six Dandelion plant seeds for a 2024 harvest. I used the blooms of the flowering plant to create a Dandelion flower essence mother (more to come on this!) and I plan to roast the roots for herbal coffee in the Fall. I’m also very intrigued by this Dandelion winerecipe and hope to start a batch before the end of Spring. Let me know if you try it!
Getting to know yapízapi iyéčheča has been so rewarding. Touching the blooms (which feel like Koosh balls!), tasting/foraging the young leaves, or just noticing the plant during walks are easy ways to connect with Dandelion as we move throughout our lives.
