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Joyce Coomer: The uses of weeds No Rachel Carson didn't write these words, but Rachel Carson (and Thomas Wolfe, and Janice Holt Giles) certainly comes to mind. They are the equally eloquent, descriptive words of Adair County's own 'Rachel Carson,' EW When I was a child, iron weed, black-eyed Susans, Queen Anne's lace, goldenrod and other "weeds" could be seen scattered across pastures. True, the cattle didn't eat these plants, but butterflies, moths, lightning bugs and honey bees (something I have not seen around our place for several years) benefitted from these blooms.' - - JOYCE COOMER. Click on headline for complete essay By Joyce Coomer Personal Commentary Weeds, as Guy Babin terms plants he dislikes, are a vital part of the ecology of a place. The pollen and nectar in their flowers -- some of which are gorgeous, some just so-so, and some barely noticeable -- feed and nourish a myriad of insects, some useful, some not (or at least not apparently -- like mosquitoes), some entertaining -- such as lightning bugs. I have several books on edible wild plants. It is amazing how many of the "weeds" people frantically try to eradicate (most usually to the detriment of the environment through the use of poisons) are highly nutritious and some are tasty as well. Some are even useful as treatments for diseases -- burdock for example as a liver cleanser, butterfly weed root as a treatment for lung problems. When I was a child, iron weed, black-eyed Susans, Queen Anne's lace, goldenrod and other "weeds" could be seen scattered across pastures. True, the cattle didn't eat these plants, but butterflies, moths, lightning bugs and honey bees (something I have not seen around our place for several years) benefitted from these blooms. The only "weeds" we were intent on eliminating were those threatening to take over the tomatoes or six-week bunch beans, and those that could spread with lightning speed like thistle and the pink milkweed (Daddy always left a few in the corner of the fence behind the barn because he and I liked the blooms.). Farmers back then didn't think the pasture had to be mown as regularly and as closely as their yard was. I mow around plants in the yard that I'm not sure what they are (much to Greg's annoyance) because I want to see if their blooms and leaves are interesting or pretty enough to make me want to have a bed of the plants. I have had huge beds of a mixture of daisies, black-eyed Susans and Queen Anne's lace. (There were no boundaries to these beds, literally or figuratively.) I have let black-eyed Susans and partridge peas grow up next to my plantings of purple weed (what Grandma called it, think it's purple basil) and this created a beautiful grouping of flowers that a raccoon stopped to enjoy one morning. I left iron weed in front of the porch one year and the blooms attracted all kinds of moths. I didn't realize that many moths would come to iron weed blooms. I have also planted butterfly weed in front of the porch and learned that hummingbirds come to the blooms as readily as do butterflies. Right now there is a crop of violets that, though they aren't in bloom, create a nice edging. There are wild petunias blooming in the front yard because it's been too wet to mow. Queen Anne's lace is higher than the forsythia and in full bloom. Partridge peas are thriving in the area of the yard we mow only once a year. The pasture has a healthy crop of bee balm and butterfly weed. The butterfly weed in the fence row has bloomed beautifully. There are plants blooming in the pasture that I haven't been able to identify. Bind weed is entwined in the wild roses in the fence and was a bright spot in the yard this morning, and a few blue morning glories were blooming just in the edge of the pasture. I can see blackberry lilies above the gully in the pasture; they should be blooming soon. The partridge peas should be blooming in a week or two. Who knows what else is lurking out there, ready to surprise me some morning? Don't call it a weed. Call it a plant. See what it can be used for. Remember that every plant, in some way, is a food source for some animal. Also remember that the blooms on these "weeds" a lot of people despise may provide the only bright spot in someone's day. Joyce M. Coomer This story was posted on 2015-07-10 10:17:46
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Have comments or corrections for this story? Use our contact form and let us know. More articles from topic Commentary:
Maury defends Joyce and wildflowers! Guy Babin: If wildflowers would be like civilized flora Doug McCammish: Accurate diagnosis at WRH saved his life, too Jon Halsey: On yet another Veterans Bypass fatality Billy Joe Fudge: Thanks, Rob Wilkerson and Junior Stotts Robt. Cumming: Turning lanes great for Russell Co. Greenhills shortcut RRW: Great - if interest in local government matched Countdown School Countdown: Leave it the way it is Guy Babin Movement gains strength: Another against countdown Writer says Grass clippings discharged on roads a hazard View even more articles in topic Commentary |
 
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