Non-Native Species In North America - Part 1
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Non-Native Species In North America - Part 1
By Anna Kay Thomas
There is a surprising number of common creatures and species that we Americans see every day that are not actually native to North America. The bright yellow and, later, snowy dandelions that are widely found throughout North America are, in fact, native to Eurasia. Among the first immigrants to come to America in the 1600s brought seeds to the new land because dandelions were valued for their nutritional and medicinal benefits. Used to support liver, heart, and kidney health as well as to boost the immune system and fight infections, dandelions were considered an important herbal remedy to have on hand.
Once known as an essential food source and later used by Native Americans for general wellness, the non-native dandelion is generally considered a weed by most Americans today. Dandelions can be found on the labels of different brands of weed killers and are regarded as the thorn in the side of every manicured lawn enthusiast.
The plant’s modern categorization does not change the fact that it is still edible and nourishing. In the wild food cookbook Acorn Pancakes, Dandelion Salad And 38 Other Wild Recipes by Jean Craighead George (the book review of which can be found here), there are two recipes for using different parts of dandelions to create a meal. That means you won’t go far in the outdoors without finding a potential snack! Wishing you the best on your environmental trek!
Reflective Question:
What are other ways you would want to use dandelions? (Suggestions: Make different parts of the plant into a savory tea, turn the flowers into a flower crown, press the plant to give as a gift, use the flower pressings to decorate, draw a picture using the dandelion as a reference, feed the nutrient-rich plant to your chickens or other livestock, etc.)
(Always be mindful of foraging in an area where biocides may come in contact with your wild crop. Ask permission to forage on private property, nature preserves, and certain parks.)
Photography by Anna Kay Thomas