English: Dandelion - detail (2). The common dandelion belongs to the family Asteraceae. Its name is a corruption of the French 'Dent de Lion' (lion's tooth), which is derived from the Medieval Latin name 'dens leonis', after the jagged edge of the leaves. Dandelion is a very versatile plant. It can be used for medicinal purposes as well as for culinary uses. All parts of the plant have a mild stimulating effect on the liver and aid congestion. The ground and roasted root is used as a substitute for coffee, and it can also be used as a diuretic and in the treatment of constipation, skin problems and arthritic conditions as well as for treating bronchitis and upper respiratory infections. The leaves can be added to salads, and the flowers can be used for making wine. In autumn, the plant produces a seed-filled puffball > 572242 comprised of parachute-like hairs at its apex. Each one of the brown seeds has its own parachute, which is designed to drift in the wind. Propagation of dandelion is partly or wholly parthenogenetic, which means that reproduction occurs and develops from an unfertilized seed.