Taraxacology

the study of Taraxacum officionale, also known as blowball, cankerwort, doon-head-clock, witch's gowan, milk witch, lion's-tooth, yellow-gowan, Irish daisy, monks-head, priest's-crown, puff-ball, faceclock, pee-a-bed, wet-a-bed, swine's snout, white endive, wild endive, and dandelion. We have this ology about Taraxacum because there is much to know such as this plant's use as food and medicine, the aerodynamics of wind dispersal of seeds and reproduction by apomixis. Curious yet? You can read about it >> here <<.


Taraxacum officionale

Taraxacology is on my mind because this year I have already spent hours digging Taraxacums out of the lawn. If you let one grow, it produces so much seed that your yard will soon be fully entaraxacumbered.

On the plus side, my back is getting stronger. That and the pretty yellow flowers are free. That and the fun of blowing away the seedheads in June. That and the tap-rooted persistent greenery they provide during summer drought. They are vigorous, resilient, tolerant of heat, cold, full sun, shade, and mowing. What's not to love?

The Dandelion Strategy For Regenerating The Earth: The Earth Regenerators use dandelion seed dispersal as a metaphor for the rapid spread of an emerging ecology paradigm following the coming collapse of the biosphere. It may only take a few people with regenerative ideas to seed a rapidly growing sustainable culture amidst the chaos. Shall we be dandelions?

Sea Level Rise: The Universe, The World And Us, a video explaining one consequence of climate change.

Sustainable Communities: The David Suzuki Foundation

Regenerative Practices Breathe New Life Into Forests: David Suzuki and Rachel Plotkin

Mark Carney Wades Into The Deep Waters Of Environmental Regulation: CBC News, May 13, 2026