Theoretically, weeds do not exist, for beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Therefore, unfortunately, what is considered a weed is generally a matter of ignorance to a plant’s inherent and potential usefulness and a manifestation of one’s own vanity. For instance, spiderwort, which those without significant botanical knowledge could see as a weed, not only blooms in a rare shade of blue, but requires little care, readily reseeds, and has potent medicinal qualities and uses. For instance, if you have a cut, scrape, or bruise, it can be readily crushed and applied to reduce bleeding, swelling, and other discomforts. Ralph Waldo Emerson, highly respected for his intellectual pursuits and writings on nature, defined weeds as any plant whose virtues have yet to be discovered. For instance, the lowly dandelion, now discarded and regarded as a menace by unknowing individuals, was actually brought to the New World by European colonists as a highly desirable and nutritious edible plant.
Furthermore, some define weeds as plants in a cultivated setting that compete with other plants and inhibit their growth, when in fact, many of these plants actually act as companion plants, assisting cultivated plants in flourishing. For instance, purslane can easily be dismissed as a weed by those unfamiliar with its virtues, but this plant produces deep roots that bring water to the surface, allowing ornamental plants, which often have shallow roots, to more readily access water. That’s not to mention its edible and nutritional properties and low-growing habit. Other examples include clovers and any species of plant in the legume or pea family, for they all produce nodules on their roots which affix nitrogen to the soil, essentially acting as free fertilizers. Moreover, their beautiful blooms will attract essential pollinators to the garden. For instance, boneset, which is both medicinal and an attractive ornamental species, attracts red wasps as pollinators, who are attracted to their fragrant white blooms whereas some species, like bees, are primarily attracted to brighter colors like reds and yellows.
Moreover, these plants provide forage and shelter for wildlife and insects alike. Not only does this attract many beneficial species, it also provides something to eat for less beneficial species which will keep ornamentals and other cultivated plants from being damaged. For instance, grasshoppers readily munch on chickweeds and spiderworts over irises, hostas, and ornamental shrubs and bushes which have hardier cell structures and thicker cell walls. Wild plants, which usually have a dense and low-growing habit also help nearby plants in that they shield the soil from the sun and therefore help lock in much needed moisture, instead of robbing nearby plants of water, which would otherwise evaporate.
So, in essence, be not too quick to judge a plant that could be considered a weed. The definition of ‘respect’ literally translated is to look again. Look again and ensure you do not see the inherent useful qualities of a plant before you unnecessarily and prematurely assign it the label of ‘weed.’ For all of God’s creations are precious gifts, wild plants especially. Who are we to assign such a label to something God saw fit to create in abundance, especially in relation to our own vanity. Ecclesiastes 2:11 - “Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.”
So, remember to try and eat one wild food every day! If you have any questions or comments or ideas for wild food articles or recipes, please email [email protected].