Taraxacum platycarpum

Dahlst.

Asteraceae Edible: Flowers, Leaves, Root 665 iNaturalist observations

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iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Taraxacum platycarpum, also called the Korean dandelion, is a species of dandelion that grows in Korea. A member of the Cichorieae tribe of the Asteraceae, it also grows in other countries as a native plant, such as China and Japan.

Description

Taraxacum platycarpum is a hardy perennial growing to 30cm tall. Flowers March to May. Hermaphrodite flowers pollinated by insects are self-fertile. Adapts to light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage, tolerating mildly acid, neutral, and basic soil pH. Grows in semi-shade or full sun and prefers moist soil.

Edible Uses

Leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. The root is also edible when cooked, and flowers can be eaten raw or cooked — unopened buds work well in fritters. The dried whole plant makes a tea, and a pleasant tea can be brewed from the flowers alone; leaves and roots are equally suitable for tea-making. The root is dried and roasted to produce a coffee substitute. Note that specific records for this species are limited, and several of these uses are inferred from closely related taxa.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are used in a fermented Korean dish called Kimchi. They are also used in salads and cooked as a vegetable. The leaves are used for tea drinks. The leaves and roots are par boiled.

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

Asia, Japan, Korea,

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a well-drained humus-rich soil in full sun or light shade. Many species in this genus produce their seed apomictically. This is an asexual method of seed production where each seed is genetically identical to the parent plant. Occasionally seed is produced sexually, the resulting seedlings are somewhat different to the parent plants and if these plants are sufficiently distinct from the parents and then produce apomictic seedlings these seedlings are, in theory at least, a new species.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring in a cold frame, either surface-sowing or covering only very lightly; keep the compost consistently moist. Germination typically occurs within two weeks. Prick seedlings into individual pots deep enough to accommodate the taproot, then plant out in early summer. The plant can also be propagated by division in early spring as growth resumes.

Other Uses

None known.

Notes

There are 50-60 Taraxacum species. The flowers probably have anticancer properties.

Also Known As

Mindeuleure, Mindeulle, Mindeulre

References (6)

Hwang, H., et al, 2013, A Study on the Flora of 15 Islands in the Western Sea of Jeollanamdo Province, Korea. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Vol. 6, No. 2 281-310
Kim, H. & Song, M., 2013, Ethnobotanical analysis for traditional knowledge of wild edible plants in North Jeolla Province (Korea). Genetic. Resour. Crop Evol. (2013) 60:1571-1585
Ong, H. G., et al, 2015, Ethnobotany of the wild edible plants gathered in Ulleung Island, South Korea. Genet Resourc Crop Evol. Springer
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Song, M., et al, 2013, Traditional knowledge of wild edible plants in Jeju Island, Korea. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. 12(2) pp 177-194

Show all 6 references