The dandelions in my lawn are evolving.
Just a few weeks ago, when lawn season started in these parts, the dandelions in my yard were very tall -- with the flower 4 or 6 inches above the ground.
Not being in a dandelion killing mood, I opted to just mow them down, keep them watered and green and not be overly concerned about it.
Now, several mows into the season, the dandelion flowers are blooming, not at 4 or 6 inches as before, but down low with just an inch or two of stem before flowering in a yellow blossom certain to bring derision and disdain from my neighbors.
So, their ability to quickly adapt to a mown environment is clear. And, I must admit, part of me has to respect that.
But today things got scary. I'm certain that today I witnessed the next evolutionary step in man's greatest lawn care adversary. It didn't happen in the front yard. But I'm certain, in a few areas in the back yard as I approached with the lawn mower, some of the dandelion flowers purposely and actively laid down while the mower passed over. Only to stand back up after I'd passed.
Be afraid home gardeners. Be very afraid.