Taraxacum officinale

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

Taraxacum officinale

Taraxacum officinale, commonly known as the dandelion or common dandelion, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant. It is well-known for its yellow flower heads that turn into round balls of many silver-tufted fruits, which disperse in the wind. The plant is very hardy and can grow in a variety of environments, including moist soils and areas with extreme temperatures. It is often considered a weed but has culinary and medicinal uses.

Details

Order:

Asterales

Family:

Asteraceae

Genus:

Taraxacum

Chemistry:

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

Uses:

The leaves, flowers, and roots are used as food. The plant has diuretic properties due to its high potassium content and is used in traditional medicine for various ailments. The flowers can be used to make dandelion wine, and the roots are sometimes roasted and ground into a coffee substitute. The latex can be used as a kind of glue, and yellow dye can be obtained from the flowers.

Flowering time:

Spring to early summer

Sowing time:

Early spring or fall

Plant height:

5–40 cm (2–16 inches), but can reach up to 70 cm (28 inches)

Flower color:

Yellow

Suitable habitat:

Temperate regions, lawns, roadsides, disturbed banks, and shores of waterways 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.

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