Dandelion is a wild meadow plant with a bright yellow flower, the bane to most gardeners, and has a long tap root. The greens are best in the early spring when young and tender. The flavor is somewhat bitter. The blanched leaves are used for salads, and the roots can be roasted and used as a coffee substitute.

Dandelions can be purchased in green grocers. They are grown for commercial use in California and Texas and are used often in  spring mix lettuce, or baby lettuce mixtures.

Here are some good links to Dandelion information:

http://www.dandelions.com/main.html

here is a story about dandelions...a little off topic but interesting nonetheless:

http://blandnews.com/970515/i-articles/co-1.htm

http://www.seattlep-i.com:80/food/frsh121.shtml