Community Arts

Dandelion is a plant with yellow flowers. Taraxacum officinale is the most common variety of this plant, and it grows in many parts of the world. Botanists consider dandelions to be herbs. People use the leaves, stem, flower, and root of the dandelion for medicinal purposes. Dandelion are full of antioxidants. It provides minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium. Dandelion boosts immune system, kills cancer cells and supports digestion.

Cleavers are an annual plant that creeps along with straggling stems that branch out. They attach themselves to anything in their way with small hooked hairs that grow out of the leaves and stems. They also grow near crops, orchards, waste areas, disturbed areas, pastures, open woodlands and in gardens. Cleavers have historically been known as a medicinal plant although it is food too. The leaves and stems can be used as leaf vegetable although it is very sticky so it will not blend well in a salad. It can be used on bread in sandwiches and sautéed. Fruits of the cleavers can be collected and dried, then roasted for use as a coffee substitute. Leaves and stems can be dried and used for tea.

Clovers Grass seedings benefit from the nitrogen produced by white clover included in the seed mixture. Solid stands of white clover form a good erosion control cover on moist fertile soils, but stands may be sparse or spotty on dry sites.

Chickweed, native to Eurasia, is an abundant wild edible common in lawns, meadows, waste places and open areas. It's used for salad green and is a traditional spring tonic. It is very nutritious, being high in chlorophyll, vitamins A & C, and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. Chickweed has health properties to help support the liver and the whole lymphatic system. Traditionally it is used to remove metabolic wastes and excess fats from the body.