The common name for the plant Taraxacum is the dandelion. Recognizable by its bright yellow flowers and unique leaf structure, the dandelion is often considered a weed in many gardens. However, it has numerous beneficial properties; its leaves can be eaten in salads, its roots used as a coffee substitute, and its flowers can be made into wine. Dandelions are also valued for their medicinal properties, being rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Widely distributed across temperate regions, the dandelion is often associated with the arrival of spring and is known for its fluffy seed heads, which children commonly blow to disperse seeds.