Right around the Spring equinox there in Portland Oregon the dandelions (Taraxacum officicinale) start to sprout up like some wild jagged toothed friendly golden haired freaks from down the road. These are the botanical creatures that drive many home owners nuts. You can see them with their cans of spray desperately trying to eradicate anything but the tame blades of grass that carpet their lawn front and back. Dandelion is seen as a scourge, an enemy to be controlled and eliminated. But dandelion is unruly, doesn’t listen very well- sprouts wherever it can find a foothold and doesn’t easily leave its perch once well established. Queen of the weeds, friend to every herbalist, dandelion has much to offer and we would do well to tend her patches and bring her into our life as a dear friend.