In all of history it has been
debated as to whether weeds are flowers or not. If people
would look back in time, they would see that what we call
weeds today are indeed flowers. The difference between
a weed and a flower is whether you actually cultivate them
or they grow wild. All flowers started out wild and then
became genetically hybridized through the years. Flowers
termed as weeds are often invasive, drought resistant and
grow just about anywhere.
Next time you are out traveling
the nations many systems of roadways, pay more attention
to the so called weeds growing wild along your path. You
will indeed see that many have been hybridized, such as
the Shasta Daisy derived from the Field Daisy, a
European native that escaped from cultivation and has become
another invasive plant.
This is Fleabane, often mistaken as
Field Daisies.
Many of these wild flowers
which won't be found in a florists shop, have medicinal
properties.
Here in Northwest
Arkansas a beautiful blue flower with a twig-like
stem grows wild and abundant along highway 59 North extending
to the far south. Although it is not native to the United
States it prospers here.
This is Chicory. It was once considered an invasive weed
but was taken off most lists because it is has highly nutritious
benefits as a foraging plant. Young leaves are used in
salads much like its relative the Dandelion and are good
sources of potassium, calcium, phosphorus and vitamins A
and C. Older leaves are bitter. The Chicory root can be
used to make a caffeine-free coffee-like beverage. The
leaves and flowers boiled and wrapped in a clean cotton
gauze make an excellent compress for swelling and minor
skin irritations.
Chicory
I often see Thistle with its
large purple cone shaped flower. Thistle is an invasive
noxious weed. Although it is on lists for eradication
in many counties and states, it is almost impossible to
get rid of and is still found along many roadsides and in
unkempt fields. I find Thistle to be one of the most beautiful
of all weeds. It is said that, “Beauty is in the
eye of the beholder”. This little bee was attracted just
as much as I was.
Thistle
Many umbrella shaped
plants with hairy stalks and clusters of tiny white flowers
are found along the roads too. It is Queen Anne’s Lace,
also known as “Wild Carrot” and a member of the Parsley
family. If you dig up the root, you will find that it yellowish
in color and smells like a carrot. It is edible when young
and is a good source of Vitamin A. When it matures it becomes
tough and woody. Queen Anne's Lace also has many medicinal
uses. Domestic carrots were bred from the “Wild Carrot”.
Just a note of caution, Poison Hemlock, highly toxic, has
a smooth hollow stalk, is often mistaken for Queen Anne’s
Lace.
Queen Anne's Lace
Black-eyed Susans, with their
bright yellow petals and dark brown eye-like center, are
perennial daisies or coneflowers, members of the sunflower
family and are native to the eastern United States. They have become endemic
throughout North America and are probably the most common of all American
wildflowers.
Blackeyed Susan
These flowers are found in
Northwest Arkansas and
by no means are the total variety that can be found. Is
it a weed or a flower? The great debate goes on. You decide;
which is your favorite? Please write
me and let me know.
©Copyright
2006 Article & Photographs by Deborah Taylor
