<P> In Swedish, it is called maskros (worm rose) after the small insects (thrips) usually present in the flowers . In Finnish and Estonian, the names (voikukka, võilill) translate as butter flower, due to the color of the flower . In Lithuanian, it is known as "Pienė", meaning "milky", because of the white liquid that is produced when the stems are cut . The Welsh (dant - y - llew), German (Löwenzahn), Norwegian (løvetann) and Spanish (diente de león) names mean the same as the French and the English names . </P> <P> Dandelions are found on all continents and have been gathered for food since prehistory, but the varieties cultivated for consumption are mainly native to Eurasia . A perennial plant, its leaves will grow back if the taproot is left intact . To make leaves more palatable, they are often blanched to remove bitterness, or sauteed in the same way as spinach . Dandelion leaves and buds have been a part of traditional Kashmiri, Slovenian, Sephardic, Chinese, and Korean cuisines . In Crete, the leaves of a variety called' Mari' (Μαρί),' Mariaki' (Μαριάκι), or' Koproradiko' (Κοπροράδικο) are eaten by locals, either raw or boiled, in salads . T. megalorhizon, a species endemic to Crete, is eaten in the same way; it is found only at high altitudes (1000 to 1600 m) and in fallow sites, and is called pentaramia (πενταράμια) or agrioradiko (αγριοράδικο). </P> <P> The flower petals, along with other ingredients, usually including citrus, are used to make dandelion wine . The ground, roasted roots can be used as a caffeine - free dandelion coffee . Dandelion was also traditionally used to make the traditional British soft drink dandelion and burdock, and is one of the ingredients of root beer . Also, dandelions were once delicacies eaten by the Victorian gentry, mostly in salads and sandwiches . </P> <P> Dandelion leaves contain abundant vitamins and minerals, especially vitamins A, C, and K, and are good sources of calcium, potassium, iron, and manganese . </P>

Name of the weed you blow to make a wish