It may be hard to believe now, but there was an epoch before the age of electronic gizmos when children universally awaited the return of warm weather which signaled the end of school was near. The balmy temperatures lured most youth into the outdoors, each anticipating new adventures and discoveries in the woods and waters of north Florida.
Bare feet and gentle spring breezes combined with idle hours gave the carefree youngsters opportunities to explore the wonders of nature in the panhandle. Imaginations blossomed with the wildflowers as pent up energy was expended and the expectation of summer’s endless days of leisure soon to come made schoolwork all the more tedious.
The little need for, or ability to purchase, expensive gadgets created the priceless experience of inventing one’s own entertainment. Toy creation from anything on hand still lives in the memory in many adults of the fleeting amusements available during this all too limited time of life.
Dandelion seed heads will soon be ready for scattering in panhandle Florida. They will identify their landing spots next spring with bright yellow flowers.
One of those momentary curiosities was dandelion seed heads. The delicate spherical structures hover slightly above the ground on a fragile stem awaiting a breeze or breath to send seeds floating away under a downy canopy.
While there are native dandelion species, the two most commonly encountered are non-native plants of European origin. There are no records of the non-native species’ arrival in the new world, but it is commonly believed they were deliberately brought for cultivation as a medicinal herb during the colonial period.
Dandelions are a cool season, hardy vegetable capable of handling north Florida’s winters with little negative effect. Both the locally common species are still cultivated today for a variety of uses including salad greens.
The hollow flower stalks form a single compound flower of many bright golden colored florets. Like chicory, varieties differ in leaf shape, ranging from very curly leaved to broad leaved.
It has low spreading, deeply notched leaves which form a rosette pattern as they emerge from a weak central tap root. It closely resembles endive in form and in cultural requirements.
The big negative is the dandelion’s ability to turn up in lawns and landscapes uninvited. Many local lawns have had the uniform turf “marred’, at least in the eyes of some owners, by the invasion of dandelions.
Keep in mind that European Honeybees and many native pollinators use this species as a source of pollen and nectar. Other wildlife also depends on these diminutive, but obvious landscape blemishes for food.
The ability to distribute viable seeds on the wind to destinations unplanned makes this plant a problem in some situations. Seeds commonly lay unnoticed until the growing conditions are ideal, and then they germinate and grow aggressively.
This time of year after its flowering is finished, the dandelion’s flower head dries out for a few days. The bloom petals and stamen sluff off and the parachute ball opens into a full sphere.
The seeds are scattered on the slightest breeze, or when a child plays with this cotton boll sized cluster of seed. The tiny seeds lazily float away, suspended under the intricate silky fluff.
So when these springtime artifacts are encountered, remember they do not need batteries or the internet to fascinate and amaze both the young and the young at heart.
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