Lots of gardeners curse them, and goodness knows I've had some battles with those growing between our paving stones. But as it flowers from early spring until the Autumn, the Dandelion really is the pollinator's best friend, and perhaps we should try to leave some in our gardens for the bees, butterflies, moths and beetles. Goldfinches and House Sparrows love the seeds, too. The name derives from the French "dent de lion" or lion's tooth, a reference to the leaf shape, though I expect you know a name or two that refers to those leaves' diuretic effect. If you don't eat too many of them, though, they are a good source of vitamins and anti-oxidants.