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Simply expressed, a weed is any plant that grows where it isn’t wanted. Weeds
are defined by their tendency to flourish at the expense of a gardener’s
overall vision, and we tend to battle their presence in our yards. It is
interesting to consider, though, that a plant is a weed only within a certain
context, which is to say that one person’s weed is another person’s
wildflower. Most of us have pulled at least one dandelion up by its roots and
disposed of it in the interest of preserving the look of a perfect green
lawn, yet the dandelion is good medicine, packed with healing properties and
vitamin-rich leaves that are a delicious, spicy surprise in a summer salad.
In the wild, there is no such thing as a weed because the overall vision is
in the hands of Mother Nature, who accommodates and incorporates all forms of
life. In nature, balance is achieved over the long term, without the aid, or
interference, of a human supervisor. While one plant may prevail over others
for a certain period of time, eventually it will reach an apex and then it
will naturally decline, allowing for other forms to be born and survive. This
self-regulating realm was the first garden of our ancestors, who learned the
art of agriculture from studying the forests and fields of the as yet
uncultivated earth. In a sense, weeds are harbingers of this wildness,
pushing their way into our well-ordered plots, undermining more delicate
flora, and flourishing in spite of us.
The next time you see a weed, you might want to look deeply into its roots,
discover its name, its habits, and its possible uses. Instead of seeing an
unwanted intruder, you might see a healer offering its leaves for a medicinal
tea or its flowers for a colorful salad. At the very least, if you look long
enough, you will see a messenger from the wilderness of Mother Earth,
reminding you that, even in the most carefully controlled garden, she cannot
be completely ruled out.
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