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What do you think of when you hear the word ‘weed’? Join us as we uncover the myths #and delve into what it really means.
It’s a word we’re all familiar with, and one we hear often, especially during our annual No Mow Movement – ‘What about the weeds’?
The Cambridge Dictionary defines a weed as, ‘any wild plant that grows in an unwanted place’.
If you were asked to picture a weed, perhaps some people would think of a Dandelion pushing up through the pavement, or a lone Forget-me-not lurking in your lawn. Many people think of specific plants as ‘weeds’, but that’s not true.
So, join us as we weed out the myths of the word ‘weeds’.
Here’s the thing – the actual definition of a weed is simply, “a wild plant growing where it is not wanted, especially among crops or garden plants.”
Just a plant, in a place we didn’t choose.
Technically speaking, any plant can be a weed. Even our most treasured native wildflowers such as orchids, simply for existing in a spot we decided they shouldn’t.
So, what makes people think of a Dandelion as a weed but an orchid as a prized plant? It’s simply perception and context.
The word ‘weed’ has been part of the English language since at least the 9th century.
It’s believed to have come from the Old English word ‘weod’, which simply means a plant – including herbs or even trees.
Over time however it took on more of a negative tone, especially as agriculture became more dominant and plants that competed with crops then took on the name.
By the 19th and 20th centuries, with the rise of industrial farming and garden landscaping, ‘weeds’ became enemies. Something to spray, pull, or pave over.
But in nature there are no weeds. Just plants doing what they’ve always done – growing, spreading, surviving.
Non-Native Invasive Species aren’t weeds by definition, but they certainly can cause problems.
Non-native plants are simply plants that have been introduced to the UK, that naturally grow in other parts of the world.
Not all non-native plants become problems – many of them integrate into our habitats without causing damage (these are called ‘naturalised’ species). However, some thrive in our habitats, so much so that they out compete our native plants, these are known as Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS). These include common garden centre finds such as Rhododendron.
One in five species of UK vascular plants are at risk of extinction. The second biggest threat to biodiversity is Invasive Non-Native Plants, so they must be taken seriously.
Read our blog here to find out more.
While the majority of plants have value to wildlife, some can cause problems, mainly to other plants around them.
Think of a thicket of nettles for instance, there’s not much biodiversity in the swathe as it has a tendency to takeover. While large amounts of such plants can cause problems, small amounts are That said, it’s important to remember the benefit that plants, including nettles bring to our other wildlife. Nettles can be a great addition to your green space and support more than 40 different insects and butterflies!
So, while problem plants aren’t necessarily ‘weeds’ we recognise that some plants could benefit from some careful control. Read our blog here, to find out how to manage problem plants such as Thistle and Common Ragwort.
We ran a survey recently and found that 56% of people think of Dandelions as a weed. That’s not a huge surprise – Dandelions have had a bit of a PR problem. But the truth is, they’re not ‘weeds’ but wildflowers. And quite useful ones, at that! In fact they were once revered as a cure all medicinal herb and even appear in ancient Greek mythology.
Watch our video below to find out why we should rekindle our love of the humble Dandelion.
Dandelions are amazing! Did you know that Dandelions support more than 50 species of insects? Or that Dandelions have been used in medicine for centuries?
The good news? More than 90% of 19-24 year olds in our survey said they see dandelions and daisies as wildflowers, not weeds. This gives hope for the future of our native wild plants.
Perhaps in the future we will all see ‘weeds’ differently – as part of a bigger picture. ‘Weeds’ are our native plants and part of the planet long before we were. They make up important habitats, improve biodiversity, provide food and even medicine, they even capture carbon!
Let’s change our perspectives to see ‘weeds’ for what they really are, wildflowers that are symbols of resilience, beauty and wildness.
A journey to return one of the UK's rarest wildflowers to the wild has made a major step to success.
The National Museum of Scotland has transformed its collections centre into a haven for insects and local wildlife by taking part in the No Mow Movement. Learn how.
If you have any questions before getting started, from what happens when you stop mowing, to which flowers might pop up – here's everything you need to know to join the movement.
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