Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_22.gif)
Thursday - January 12, 2012
From: Rama, ON
Region: Canada
Topic: Invasive Plants, Non-Natives, Edible Plants, Medicinal Plants, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Negative and positive effects of invasive dandelions from Rama Ontario
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
How do Dandelions have a negative impact of being a invasive and a Positive impact of being a invasive species ?ANSWER:
This is a trick question, right? Since we don't exactly understand the point, we are going to tell you what we know about dandelions especially in the case of invasiveness, and hope we hit the answer you are looking for somewhere in there. Before we go on, we'd like to make note that Taxacum officinale, dandelion is native to Eurasia. It is thought that it was first brought to North America by the Pilgrims on the Mayflower because of its medicinal uses. Officinalis, officinale, officinarum, all adjectives, are the same word with different endings and they all mean used in medicine. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and Mr. Smarty Plants encourage the growth, propagation and protection of plants Native to North America so, technically speaking, the dandelion is out of our area of expertise. However, we are always interested in invasive plants, native or not.
First, we'll give you an online reading assignment, to save us the trouble of repeating things that others have already said, pros and cons. The first article.from the University of California Integrated Pest Management site, Dandelions, is on the cons of dandelions and the elimination thereof. The pros, from the University of Maryland Medical Center, Dandelions, include the edibility of the plant and the medicinal uses, some of which have been around in various countries for well over a thousand years.
So, now that you have done your homework, here is our take on your question:
Non-beneficial Aspects of Invasive, Non-native Dandelions:
1. They crowd out desirable plants, particularly in lawns
2. They have very deep roots; herbicides will likely only damage plants around them.
3. With deep taproots, they will pull available water out of the soil.
Beneficial Aspects of Invasive, Non-native Dandelions:
1. They attract pollinators
2. They are a source of nourishing food, coming up with no human intervention.
3. With their medicinal qualities, they might one day offer the only cure for some dangerous human disease.
4. They're cute
More Edible Plants Questions
Non-fruiting Willamette raspberry plant in Wateford CA
May 23, 2013 - I have a 2 year old Willamette Raspberry plant that has many blooms, bees, great growing conditions, very healthy but has never set one fruit. I know about pruning. Any suggestions? It has been bloomi...
view the full question and answer
Edible Native Plants for a Small Austin Garden
March 15, 2010 - Hello Mr. Smarty Plants (or Mrs. or Miss, whomever is answering this go'round)!
First off, thank you so much for all the help you have given me in the past. Secondly, the company my husband works ...
view the full question and answer
Information about mustang grapes
March 14, 2016 - We live in the Driftwood area. There is a native vine that looks like Mustang grape but never produces. A friend who is native to this area called it rat vine.
I miss my Mustang grape jelly. Is t...
view the full question and answer
Growing non-native grapefruit from seeds from Austin
April 30, 2013 - Can you grow ruby red grapefruit trees from seeds?
view the full question and answer
White spots on Hibiscus leaves
August 06, 2008 - My hibiscus trees have white spots or splotches on the leaves. What is it and what can I do to get rid of it?
Also, the birds are eating my tomatoes faster than i can grow them. I've used the owl &...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |