The Double Life of Plants

Ever wonder if that pesky weed in your yard has a purpose besides annoying the heck out of you? Well, a couple of weeks ago while searching to id a weed in her garden a fellow MG came across some fascinating information. What she considered a major weed in her yard was considered a valuable herb to many others. So that begged the question…..what other plants that the homeowner considers weeds have another life where they are considered a prized possession?

The plant my fellow MG was looking for is; Mugwort: Artemisia vulgaris. It is found on the VT website in the Weed ID Guide with the following description “A Perennial weed with persistent rhizomes that may be spread or transported by cultivation equipment, or also in burlaped nursery stock infested with rhizomes.  Found throughout the eastern United States.” Yet if you go to the Alternative Nature’s Online Herbal you will read about all its wonderful properties and how it’s one of the author’s favorite herbs and he has a HEDGE of it dividing parts of his garden! Several websites point to its dream inducing properties, use in the making of beer and use in conjunction with acupuncture!

Many of us have heard about Dandelion wine but for the most part, Dandelions are a thorn in the side for many a gardener. Yet when you check out University of Maryland Medical Center’s site you find it is regarded as amazingly versatile. Uses listed include diuretic, antiviral, appetite stimulant, digestive aid, gastrointestinal health; promote liver detoxification, and improve the immune system. You can add the leaves/flowers to your salad for a rich source of several vitamins and antioxidants.

Both leaves and roots are available fresh or dried and in a variety of forms, including tinctures, liquid extract, teas, tablets, and capsules.

Lambsquarter – again quoting VT Weed ID Guide: “summer annual to 3 1/2 feet in height capable of producing thousands of seeds.” Thousands of seeds!!! This is the stuff that strikes terror in the gardener – especially when you find this oh so common weed in your yard. But according to the website www.veggiegardeningtips.com it is a delicious herb to be eagerly cultivated – you can even BUY seeds for your garden. Wikipedia goes so far to rank it as “far, far, more nutritious” than spinach, a close cousin of lambsquarters.

I could go on for pages listing other plants that fit the gardeners adage; “One man’s weed is another man’s rose”; but I will leave that for you to do some rainy afternoon when you can’t be out in the garden. Then maybe you’ll think twice about pulling up that “weed”. Enjoy!

Cindy Annino, Loudoun County Master Gardener