Description
Taraxacum apulicum (also called Apulian Dandelion, among many other common names) is a perennial herbaceous plant native to southern Italy. It has a basal rosette of leaves and produces yellow flower heads in spring. It typically grows in grasslands and open woodlands.
Uses & Benefits
Taraxacum apulicum is used as a food source, as a medicinal herb, and as an ornamental plant. It is also used to make tea, which is believed to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It can also be used as a natural dye for fabrics and as a fertilizer.
Cultivation and Propagation
Taraxacum apulicum is a small, evergreen shrub, growing to 1 m (3 ft) tall. It is best propagated from seed. Sow the seed in spring in a seed tray filled with moist, well-drained seed compost. Cover the seed with a thin layer of compost and place the tray in a warm, bright position but out of direct sunlight. Keep the compost moist and in a few weeks the seed should have germinated. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, pot them on into individual pots and grow on in a cool, light position.
Where to Find Taraxacum apulicum
Taraxacum apulicum is native to Europe and can be found in the countries of Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland.