Dandelion

Taraxacum ruderalia. This neat rosette of dandelion leaves was right at the base of the wall.

Dandelions have long been collected or even cultivated for their medicinal and culinary uses. If you decide to grow them in your veg garden in order to enjoy the leaves in salads or stir fries it is suggested that you blanch the leaves by covering them with opaque fabric for a couple of weeks before harvesting. This reduces the bitter taste.

Dandelion roots are roasted to grind into a caffeine free coffee substitute.