[garettmd]

At least in the US, people routinely spray dandelions with weed killer. So an argument could be made in favor of telling kids - especially in a classroom setting - where you'd rather err on the side of keeping kids from picking dandelions from any yard they pass by, and eating them.

[A4ET8a8uTh0]

Sadly, this is accurate. I am comfortable picking those up in my yard, but I would hesitate to pick those anywhere else.

[WillAdams]

There was a time in my life when I was all-but homeless, and pretty much penniless, despite having two jobs --- the only reason I didn't get exposed to Round-up on at least one occasion was because I was careful to blanch the dandelions I was planning on eating by placing a heavy stone on them for a day or two or three --- this goes a long way to make them less bitter in taste.

[A4ET8a8uTh0]

I am glad you have made it. As sad as the story is, it is also fascinating to me. Would you be willing to go into more detail ( among other things, why would heavy stone work in this case )?

[WillAdams]

There's not much to it --- made a bad life decision, had some follow-on bad luck, falling out with family, and was fortunate to have support of some friends and to land the two jobs.

As noted, dandelions are bitter in taste, and this can be mitigated by blanching them --- putting them under a heavy stone is one way to do this, or one can dip them in boiling water briefly. It also softens them a bit.

[yamtaddle]

Yeah we tell our kids about edible plants like dandelions, but caution them to basically never actually eat any they find.

Really, just saying "they're poisonous" would be quicker and the outcome wouldn't be all that different. They do have to be treated as poisonous, kinda, in urban and suburban settings.