Weeds and Wonders: Exploring Plant Perception and Mortality
Plants are amazing. They fill every nook and cranny they can find, from crevices in boardwalks to nooks between roads. They climb high buildings, and make home in different areas without needing to be planted or cared for by people. Plants are everywhere, and yet, they go unnoticed by people, or worse, they are given a bad rep. These villainous plants are called invasive or weeds, when in reality, they are integral parts of the ecosystems we inhabit.
Are weeds really that bad?
Picture a lush garden where vibrant flowers sway in the breeze, each one carefully planted and tended by the gardener. But amidst the carefully cultivated blooms, there's one persistent plant that seems to defy all efforts to remove it. This plant has a deep taproot that anchors it firmly into the soil. No matter how many times the gardener plucks it out, it returns, its bright yellow flowers popping up defiantly among the neatly trimmed grass.
In grass fields and urban gardens, there is this beautiful naturalized plant that provides a bright pop of yellow color. Its leaves and roots are a treasure trove of benefits, packed with vitamins and minerals. People use the flowers to make tea, and use the roots to create a coffee alternative. This plant is added in salads, and stir-fries. In the local ecosystem, this plant is a food source for pollinators.
These two plants are the same— the dandelion (Taraxacum officinale).
What is a weed?
From the perspective of plant ecologists, a weed is not simply a plant that grows where it's unwanted; it's a reflection of our human perception of what belongs and what doesn't in a particular space. While it's true that most weeds are highly tolerant to disturbance, what truly defines them is their ability to thrive in environments that have been altered by human activity. This means that even plants with beneficial properties, like the dandelion you mentioned, can be considered weeds if they grow in places where we don't want them.
Weeds, therefore, serve as indicators of environmental degradation rather than being inherently "bad." They're symptoms of disruption caused by factors like chemical treatment or habitat destruction. As our climate changes, creating new conditions and altering ecosystems, these plants become even more abundant, highlighting the need for a shift in our perception and management strategies.
What is the difference between invasive and introduced plant species?
From an ecological context, invasive species are plants that are not native to a location that they are inhabiting, thus displacing natural vegetation, such as the yellow iris in New York, which is currently being managed by the Adirondack Park Invasive Program. Introduced species are plants that have been brought to a new location intentionally or unintentionally by humans. Many introduced species can become invasive, the key difference lies in their relationship to native species and ecosystem productivity. Some introduced plant species can even provide better ecosystem services than native plants, but that is not always the case.
Are non-native plants inherently bad?
Not all non-native plants are detrimental to the ecosystem. Some become naturalized and part of not only the plant ecosystem, but also part of the culture where the plant now resides. When an organism becomes naturalized, they are not necessarily native but grow freely in an environment to which they are not native. For example, the Delonix regia or flamboyán (flamboyant) tree is native to Madagascar but was introduced in Puerto Rico during the 18th century. Since its introduction, it has become an integral part of Puerto Rican culture and ecosystem. The flamoyán is valued for its beauty and utility— it has a dense canopy that provides shade, its seeds are used for a children’s game, and its wood has been used for making furniture, jewelry, and art. The flamboyán tree became one of the many roots of Puerto Rican identity, its flowers and resilience to disturbance such as hurricanes have inspired poetry and artwork since its arrival. This tree serves as an example of how Puerto Rican culture flowered- a mix of different cultures, religions, and ethnicities coming together as one. The flamboyán is a cultural staple for celebration of patron saints and weddings. In fact, there is also a festival dedicated to the flamboyán tree in Puerto Rico, celebrated in July.
In conclusion, it is important to recognize the intrinsic value of all plants, regardless of their ‘bad’ or ‘good’ rep. Our human perception and nomenclature influences their livelihood and it is important to recognize that every plant plays an ecological role and is important to many cultures. In the words of Peter Del Tredici, author of Wild Urban Plants of the Northeast, “Calling a plant a weed gives people license to get rid of it; similarly, calling a plant invasive allows them to blame it for ruining the environment”. By reevaluating our perceptions and acknowledging the importance of these plants within ecosystems and cultures, we can foster a greater appreciation for their role in biodiversity and promote more effective conservation practices.
