Taraxacum mongolicum aka Mongolian Dandelion

Taraxacum mongolicum belongs to the daisy family, Asteraceae. It is a perennial, so it lives for more than two years. Its home range runs from Siberia through temperate eastern Asia. Records list Mongolia, China, Korea, and the Russian Far East. It grows near villages, on banks, and beside damp roads. These sites include places where people live and roadsides. Plants For A Future also lists it for garden beds.

The plant grows about 0.7 feet [0.2 metres] tall. It has a taproot that needs room in seedling pots. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects carry pollen between flowers. The plant is also self-fertile: it can use its own pollen. The account gives no bloom months or facts about fruit. It gives no details on leaf shape, stems, or spread. The stated low height is the main guide to size.

Plants For A Future says it prefers moist soil. It accepts sandy soil, loam, and clay that drain well. The stated pH range runs from mild acid to mild alkaline. It can grow in sun or light shade. The source does not confirm how well it withstands British winters. Its home range suggests that it may live outdoors. But the account gives no tested hardiness zone for this species. Its fuller growing notes come from the genus, not species trials.

Sow seed in spring in a cold frame. Leave seed on top or add a thin cover. Do not let the seed compost dry out at this stage. The source says seeds take about two weeks to sprout. Move each seedling to its own pot when large enough to handle. Use deep pots to give the taproot room. The source says to plant them outside in early summer. You can also divide plants as growth starts in early spring.

Young leaves have a recorded food use, raw or cooked. Other listed food uses are less sure for this species. They include flowers, roots, teas, and roasted roots used instead of coffee. The source calls these uses probable, not proven. It also notes a long history of Chinese medicinal use. Reported uses cover gut, liver, skin, and breast complaints. These records do not prove that home treatments work or are safe. Plants For A Future lists no known hazards. This does not prove safety for people or pets.