Taraxacum officinale

Taraxacum officinale (L.) Weber ex F.H. Wigg.

Dandelion

The dandelion is a common herbaceous perennial flowering plant known for its vibrant yellow flower heads that turn into round balls of silver-tufted fruits. It thrives in temperate regions with moist soils and is highly adaptable, growing in a variety of environments. Dandelions are often considered weeds but have culinary and medicinal uses, including the use of leaves in salads and roots for coffee substitutes.

Details

Order:

Asterales

Family:

Asteraceae

Genus:

Taraxacum

Chemistry:

The dandelion contains a serine proteinase called taraxalisin, which is found in the latex of its roots. This proteinase hydrolyzes a chromogenic peptide substrate optimally at pH 8.0 and reaches maximal activity in April, at the beginning of plant development after winter.

Uses:

Dandelions are used in traditional medicine for their diuretic properties and have been consumed as food. The leaves, flowers, and roots are edible; the flowers can be made into wine or jam, while the greens are used in salads. The roots can be roasted and ground into a coffee substitute. Dandelions are also used in herbal medicine for various ailments.

Flowering time:

Early spring to late summer

Sowing time:

Spring or early fall

Plant height:

5–40 cm (2–15+3⁄4 inches)

Flower color:

Yellow

Suitable habitat:

Temperate regions, lawns, roadsides, disturbed banks, shores of waterways, and other areas with moist soils.

Info

Pannon Flora Ltd. was founded on December 13, 1999, by Gábor Janik, who retains 95% ownership. Janik holds an MSc in Horticulture from the University of Horticultural Sciences (1986) and an Advanced Professional English Certification from the College of International Trade (1990). The company specializes in bird feed production and export, primarily serving markets in Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK, alongside cultivating and distributing imported/exported horticultural seeds. It maintains exclusive partnerships with JOEUN Seed (South Korea) and Takii Europe (Japan), a leader in professional seed breeding and production. Pannon Flora collaborates with certification bodies such as NÉBIH (National Food Chain Safety Office), MERT Kontroll, and SGS Hungary to ensure compliance and quality. The company works with approximately 400 Hungarian growers, ranging from small-scale producers (under 5 hectares) to mid-sized farms and large-scale agricultural enterprises. This profile emphasizes agribusiness expertise, technical partnerships, and operational scalability tailored to international client needs.

Tenders

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