Phyllis Rowan, age 13, of Middletown, Ohio, for her question:

HOW DID THE DANDELION GET ITS NAME?

The plant known as the dandelion received its name from the French 'dent de lion,' which means 'lion's tooth.' The plant has toothed margins on its leaves, which look a bit like a large cat's teeth.

When a dandelion's leaves are young, they are often put into salads. This is in spite of the fact that they have a slightly bitter taste.

The plant has a long taproot and flat flower heads containing bright yellow florets on hollow, stemlike stalks.

The wild dandelion is a native of Europe and Asia but it has spread to all temperate regions including the United States and southern Canada.

The dandelion is a bad weed to everyone who has a good lawn and doesn't like to see the grass interrupted. But it is a good weed to those who enjoy seeing the golden yellow flowers brighten neglected fields and roadsides.