Taraxacum

(tah-raks'a-küm.) (Bot.) The Dandelion, a gen. of plants, O. Asteracese. The species are herbs, with a perennial root-stock, terminated by a tuft of leaves, from the centre of which emerge smooth hollow leafle unbranched stalks, surmounted by a single head of bright-yellow flowers. By many botanists it is considered that there is only one species, T. dens leon is, which admits of many varieties. The root-stock of the Dandelion (dent du lion) is extensively used in medicine as an aperient and tonic, especially in liver-complaints; it has also diuretic properties. When blanched, the leaves may be used as a salad, but are too bitter to be agreeable. [s. 878]