What do you call that little white fluffy seed-like thing that come from a plant (I presume)? I vaguely remember picnic posting a macro shot of it before, but I don't remember what it's called (milk-something? my memory fails me). My friend needs it for a story I asked him to write. Thanks in advance to whoever answers my question :-) (*

Hmmm... not sure. I don't have a photo, though. It looks like a fluffy rabbit tail, only tiny, and you can see the middle part which looks like a thinner rice grain. And you can sometimes see it free floating in the air. (*

Sounds like Milkweed to me. Or maybe Dandelion fluff (there's probably a real term for it) when they start to turn to seed. -Taltos

It's called a BLOSSOM people. The fluffy stuff is it's disguise. Yup. Bsteph (snickker)

I thought the blossom on a dandelion was the yellow bit (er... the actual flower) and the white bit afterwards was the seed. -shrugs- Whatever it's called, it's a lot of fun to make wishes on. -Taltos, Flower Expert

Yup. That's the bit. I always think of this stage as the dandelion version of an afterlife though.

LOL! dandelions have an afterlife??? No wonder I can't get rid of them ; )

Me and my kids call them wishing flowers.......make a wish and blow.....

I'd make a comment to that last bit, Michelle, but it's pretty offensive.... (",)

And best of all Jordy and Michelle you can rest assured your neighbors will LOVE you! Bsteph

hey! dandelions are good for all sorts of things. first they wont grow in a real healthy lawn, second they have long roots so they dont compete for the food where the grass roots are but they DO bring up minerals from deep down that the grass needs and can't get to. and you can eat them, and the juice from the roots is good for getting rid of warts and the flowers if you ferment them make good wine and they're pretty once you get over the prejuduce socioty has talked you into believing. If we had a few more dandelions and a little less fertilizer in the neighborhoods around this world we'd have a much nicer place over all.

My daughter also calls it a "Clock" flower, you blow the seeds away on their little parachutes, until only the stem is left...the number of times you blow tells you what time it is... :-)>

Sounds like what my father used to tell me were "money stealers" when I was little. They were the seeds from milk weeds, which on the stem are in a pod (a cresent shaped green sack that would pop open and release the seeds on the wind). As kids we used to bat at each other with milk weed pods until the seeds were everywhere. Kinda like a pillow fight.

....and in addition to Crystal's bit, we have a soft drink (soda?) over here called Dandelion and Burdock - absolutely lovely stuff!! (Burdock being another plant) (",)

Well in my own experience dandelion leaves taste pretty damn bad....maybe if I was starving to death......hehehe

you're eating it wrong then. you eat the new, tender leaves and you put it on sandwiches where you need a slightly strong flavor or you mix it in salads to perk them up, much like you would romain. or you steam it and eat it like spinach.

Hmmm... these posts are certainly insightful... especially Jordy's. LOL No, I'm not referring to dandelions. So it must be milkweed then. Thanks, people! MWAH! (*

Attached Link: http://www.milkweedfarm.com/

Dang, there's a site for everything isn't there?!? Can anyone name one thing there isn't a site about?!? (and don't say Debbie Does Dallas, coz there is.....) (",)