Dandelions are flowering plants that belongs to the Asteraceae family, the largest family of flowering plants, along with daisies, marigolds, zinnias, gazanias, chrysanthemums, thistles, ragweeds, sagebrush, cosmos and dahlias.
‘Dandelion’, their common name, derived from the French phrase ‘dents de lion’, which means lion tooth. The shape of this plant’s leaves resembles a lion’s tooth. Dandelion is known by various other names in different regions around the world, the popular ones being cankerwort, wild endive, pissenlit, yellow gowan, puff ball, blow ball and more.
Dandelions have been a vital element in the field of traditional Chinese medicine for around a thousand years. The leaves and roots of the plant were medicinally used as a tonic for removing toxins from bloodstream, as they serve as a mild diuretic to improve the digestive system functioning.
Ancient physicians were not much aware of vitamin and nutrition deficiencies. However, they found that dandelions were beneficial in many problems, including fevers, toothaches, constipation, anemia, arthritis, diabetes, gall bladder problems, heartburn, skin irritations, and liver, stomach and kidney disorders. Modern herbalists now realize that growing dandelions are enriched with Vitamins A, E, and C, as well as iron, zinc, and calcium.
Milky liquid produced in the dandelion's stem contains latex (a substance that is similar to rubber). Scientists created new species of dandelion that produces high quality latex in greater amounts. This type of latex has potential to replace rubber in the production of tires in the near future.
The root of the dandelion is rich in the carbohydrate inulin, which is a type of soluble fiber found in plants that supports the growth and maintenance of a healthy bacterial flora in your intestinal tract. Dandelion are a rich source of beta-carotene and polyphenolic compounds, both of which are known to have strong antioxidant capabilities that can prevent aging and certain diseases.
Dandelion is a rich source of vitamins A, C and K. It also contains high levels of iron, calcium and potassium. Dandelion is used mainly in Asian cuisine, often as an ingredient in salads and sandwiches. Dandelion can also be used in the production of wine and root beer, and the root of dandelion as a substitute for coffee.
Animals and insects including bees, butterflies, and birds consume the seeds or nectar of dandelions.
Dandelions are pollinated by various types of insects. Yellow flower of the plant becomes a puff ball which comprises many fruits known as achenes. Dandelion seeds have a disk-like extension which serves as a parachute and helps dispersal by wind. A seed can travel 5 miles before it finally reaches the ground.
"Close Your Eyes"
"Make a Wish"
"...and Blow"
Dandelion are the only flower representing three celestial bodies during different phases of its life cycle: sun, moon, stars.
The yellow flower of the plant resembles the sun, the dispersing seeds of the plant resemble stars, and the puff ball of dandelion plant resembles the moon.
I hope everyone is staying safe and keeping healthy while practicing social distancing during the Coronavirus pandemic. Good news is that it is helping flatten the curve!
Please continue to stay strong in spirit and have faith that in time things will to return to a new state of normalcy!
These original content images were taken with my Samsung Galaxy Note8 smartphone. Edits done using Prismart.
@adalgar Learn more here: https://esteem.app/hive-127788/@adalger/amaying-nature-contest-april-2020-04 
@naturalmedicine and the lovely 
@dswigle who hosts the #alwaysaflower tag.
@steemitbloggers 
@thealliance 
@steemusa 
@qurator