I always thought that Dandelion (Taraxacum) was European. But I have read an article in American Horticulturist June1993 called "Just Dandelions" in which a Swedish scientist says that they were in the new world thousands of years before Columbus. I know that the French have culinary cultivars also and the above article details many other taraxacums. Barry, I would love to get some seeds of teh large ones you saw if it is legal to collect them ane I would be glad to send you the article on dandelions if you cannot find it and send me your snailmail address. Clark Weston