When Weeds Win
Every summer, I find myself cutting those pesky weeds that grow in between sidewalks at an alarming rate, even if I uproot them. I do it for aesthetic reasons, but part of me feels a bit bad for doing so, as they are a living part of nature.
It got me thinking about the value of life in forms we don’t usually think about, and a couple of weeds came to mind.
Purslane
A highly nutritious, tasty, and edible weed, purslane (also known as common purslane or Portulaca oleracea) is my primary “victim” when weed eliminating in my garden’s tiled floors.
Little did I know its health benefits, as, according to the National Institutes of Health, purslane is one of the richest green plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids, and lowers bad cholesterol while raising good cholesterol. It is also rich in folate, a type of vitamin B that supports things such as vision and brain health. This superfood, it seems, can even be taken in vitamin form.
As I mentioned in a previous post, I’m currently on a broccoli sprouts kick and not yet ready to transition to purslane, but if and when I do, I’ll report back.
Dandelions
Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) are also a common sight in any weed elimination journey. Recognized by its bright yellow flowers and puffballs seeds that are fun to blow into the air when connecting with one’s inner child, these resilient perennials are nutritious in its entire form.
As bitter greens, they can be cooked and marinated in such a way that their bitterness is made more palpable. They can also be taken as a tea, in root and/or leaf form (just don’t drink it before bed, because it is diuretic, which means you’ll be peeing all night, and take extra care if you are on blood pressure or blood thinning medications).
Dandelions are rich in Vitamin A, B6, C, D calcium, copper, and potassium; serve as a cleansing and nutritive tonic, for liver support, and aid in digestion (it’s rich in inulin, which encourages good bacteria in the gut).
Dandelion blossoms can also be made into a honey and, in roasted root form, it is an excellent substitute for coffee, such as with Dandy Blend.
Marram Grass
Also known as beach grass and Ammophila, this “sand friend,” as the translation goes in Greek, is a familiar sight on sand dunes and windswept beaches. (Imagine Cape Cod, with all its romantic summer splendor). This “weed” grass is not an edible, as in the previous two mentions, but serves an important purpose, as the first line of coastal dunes. Their roots are extensive and deep, allowing them both to do well in high wind conditions and thus stabilizing the dunes themselves and preventing coastal erosion.
That’s all I really have to say about marram Grass.
The sight of them just makes me happy, igniting something in my heart that is similar to the sight of northern California’s iconic golden rolling hills with their honey-colored grass dotted with murky green oaks. Vacay vibes, maybe.
Pothos
Last but not least, is one of the easiest beginner’s house plants (also not edible), Pothos. Easiest, it seems, for most, as, except for a remaining leaf, I almost killed the plant.
I could have given up on it and just merged the leaf and soil with my garden, adding to its ecological diversity, but for some reason, I just let it be. Low and behold, the last leaf remains, and another plant grew next to it. Not the same, and possibly a weed, but with the most beautiful, vibrant, green leaves and stalks. It has a happy vibe.
I am so glad I didn’t discard the original plant, and it really touched my heart, especially one morning, when the light shone through my window, onto the weed plant’s leaves, magically highlighting the veins that seem to mirror those on my own hands. Life limiting life!
So, you never know with weeds, how they can help you or inspire you. Maybe it’s the same with humans. You never know the value of someone you don’t usually take the time to recognize. Seeing the worth of a weed is like seeing the humanity in a human.
