A dandelion doesn’t mind if people consider it to be a weed. Courtesy image
When I recently went to Laurel Hill Cemetery in Saco to see the daffodils, I noticed that several of the grave sites had dandelions growing across and between them in the grass.
The dandelion is regarded as a weed by many people. Who wants to spend time, money, and effort creating a lush, rolling grass only to discover dandelions sprouting there as well? But I couldn’t help but wonder how hard those dandelions were trying to stand out, just as much as the jonquils and daffodils that covered the riverbank slope of the cemetery.
However, a weed is actually a “only available to humans is marijuana. Whether they are dandelions, daffodils, buttercups, or bright yellow tulips, flowers of all kinds stand their heads high to brighten the world. In any language we are aware of, flowers do not speak. However, whichever language it may be, I’m positive that the word “They have no lexicon for marijuana.
I’ve always chosen to embrace all plants and flowers, whether wild and cultivated, into my gardens and my living space rather than keeping an expensive and time-consuming swath of green grass, which I must admit can be stunning. They all seem to have something to offer, in my opinion. Although some people might not find the dandelion to be as appealing as the daffodil, I think about how distinctive it is with its clusters of thin yellow petals that emerge from a central receptacle and how each petal is a single seed that will soon transform to white silk and fly away on the wind.
Each type of flower behaves in accordance with its internal programming, just like everything else in nature. The DNA of a plant has the knowledge that they employ to accomplish this. And if nothing has changed that fundamental design, the dandelion will develop into a dandelion, the tulip into a tulip, and so on. They may not even be aware of or care about their extreme differences. So who am I to decide whether or not a flower is deserving of admiration in my opinion?
European settlers introduced the dandelions here because they were thought to be nutritious and healthy. Unbeknownst to many, the dandelion (Taraxacum) is a member of the Asteraceae plant family, which also includes hundreds of cousins like asters, sunflowers, chrysanthemums, and chamomile. Because the plant is beneficial to humans, nature created the dandelion to grow swiftly and easily become a part of the environment. Its roots and yellow petals are edible, as well as the rest of the plant. Additionally, many people appreciate the greens themselves in the early spring before the plants bloom, to the point that I’ve even seen produced varieties in certain supermarket food bins.
There you have it, then. A dandelion doesn’t know or care that people don’t come in droves in the spring to see it growing on a slope in a cemetery or across a rolling meadow, even though it may not be aesthetically pleasing by some standards. It will continue to produce millions more of itself as the natural world has programmed it to do.
After all, how limited would our lives be if we were unable to pick up a dead dandelion head and throw all of its delicate seeds into the breeze on a whim?
Daffodils—are they flowers?
With a diploma in botany from the NYBG, Katherine Wagner-Reiss has worked as a tour guide at the Garden for two years.
Daffodils, narcissus, and jonquils can blend together in the mind yet are simple to distinguish.
Daffodil is the common name for the more than 50 species of spring-flowering bulbs in the genus Narcissus. One species, Narcissus jonquilla, is known as jonquil in common parlance. When in doubt, call any of these flowers since you can never go wrong “because they are all members of the genus Narcissus.
The asphodel, another stunning flower, also goes by the name of daffodil. Nobody is aware of how the beginning “Eventually, D was added to daffodil. The asphodel is so beautiful that it is thought to grow in the blessed afterlife grounds known as the Elysian Fields in ancient Greek literature. The NYBG Perennial Garden has Asphodelus alba, and I’ll be watching for it to blossom this summer.
the term “The name narcissus comes from the Greek word narke, which means numbness and is also the origin of the word narcotic. Some species of the flower may have been given this name because to its seductive scent. Narcissus is one of the spring flowers I can consistently enjoy in my Connecticut garden since some people equate the name with the poisonous properties of the bulbs and blossoms, a defense against squirrels and deer.
Narcissus is reminiscent of the Greek legend of the same name, in which a gorgeous young man was enthralled by his own image in the lake and pined until he died (thus the word narcissist!). There is debate over whether the flower Narcissus was named after the boy Narcissus, or if there is no relation at all (although it is a beautiful fairy tale to state that Narcissus was transformed into the namesake flower!).
The term “jonquil” comes from the genus Juncus, which includes rushes, whose leaves resemble those of jonquils.
Its own is unique to the New York Botanical Garden “In the Elysian Fields, Daylily/Daffodil Walk, Daffodil Valley, the Rock Garden, and Daffodil Hill, there are tens of thousands of narcissus blooming.
The Garden blooms with tens of thousands of daffodils each year. On Daylily/Daffodil Walk, discover new favorites among the newest hybrids. Also, don’t miss Daffodil Hill in April when it is covered in a sea of yellow and white flowers, including several historic varieties that were established in the early 20th century. Find small species daffodils no taller than three inches in the Rock Garden, and drifts of dazzling color close by in Daffodil Valley, the location of the Murray Liasson Narcissus Collection.
To mark the Garden’s 125th anniversary, the NYBG started a substantial enlargement of the vintage Narcissus plants in this collection in October 2015.
The daffodil is what kind of flower?
Narcissus is a genus of perennial plants of the Amaryllidaceae family, primarily with spring flowers. Daffodil, [Note 1] narcissus, and jonquil are a few common names that are used to refer to all or some species of the genus. Narcissus features striking flowers with six tepals that resemble petals and are topped by a corona in the form of a cup or trumpet. The flowers are typically white and yellow (although some garden cultivars also come in orange or pink), with either uniformly colored or contrasting tepals and corona.
Narcissus were well recognized in ancient civilizations for their medicinal and botanical properties, but Linnaeus’ Species Plantarum was the first work to fully define them (1753). The genus is typically thought to consist of about ten sections and 50 species. Depending on how they are categorized, the number of species has changed because to hybridization and interspecies similarities. The genus first appeared in the Iberian peninsula and surrounding southwest European regions at some point between the Late Oligocene and Early Miocene epochs. The name Narcissus’ precise etymology is unknown, however it is frequently associated with the Greek word for drunk (narcotic) and the legend of the young man who had a love affair with his own reflection. The word “asphodel,” which it was frequently likened to, appears to be where the English name “daffodil” originated.
The Western Mediterranean, notably the Iberian peninsula, is the region with the greatest diversity for the species, which are endemic to meadows and woods in southern Europe and North Africa. Prior to the tenth century, plants from both the wild and the garden were brought to the Far East. Narcissi are typically long-lived bulbs that grow through division but are also pollinated by insects. Viruses, fungus, fly larvae, mites, and nematodes are a few examples of known pests, diseases, and disorders. While some species of Narcissus are now extinct, others are being threatened by rising urbanization and tourism.
According to historical records, narcissi have been grown since the dawn of time. However, after the 16th century, they gained popularity throughout Europe and by the late 19th century, they were a significant commercial crop centered mostly in the Netherlands. Narcissi are now widely used in gardens, both public and private, as cut flowers and ornamental plants. Numerous cultivars have been created during the course of extensive breeding. Narcissi are divided into categories for horticultural use, including a wide range of forms and hues. Narcissi, like other members of their family, produce a variety of alkaloids that offer some protection for the plant but could be dangerous if taken by accident. This feature has been used medicinally in conventional medicine, leading to the creation of galantamine, a drug used to treat Alzheimer’s dementia. Narcissi have a long history of being praised in literature and art. In various cultures, they are linked to themes like spring, good fortune, and even death.
The daffodil is Wales’ national flower and a worldwide emblem for organizations that support cancer research. Many places relate celebrations with the springtime blooming of the wild flowers.
What makes weeds and flowers different from each other?
Our collection includes chrysanthemums and tulips “The Language of Flowers examines everything from flower symbolism and significance to advice on how to care for fresh flowers.
There are weeds everywhere, and they are the scourge of all gardeners. What are they, though? What distinguishes weeds from the flowers you put in your garden? It’s a question of perspective. Typically wildflowers, weeds are essentially quickly dispersing plants that have emerged in an undesirable location. A weed is what the Merriam-Webster Dictionary describes as “a plant that often grows quickly and is not valued where it is growing.
Many of them are ugly, intrusive, bothersome, and some are downright harmful. However, certain weeds can be rather attractive. Plants that would be regarded as weeds in a well-kept rose garden make up wildflower gardens. Will you consider the strange wildflower that appeared in your flower garden to be a beneficial weed to keep? The choice of which will improve your garden and which you will toss out is entirely up to you as a gardener.
Here are some typical weeds with flowers that you could encounter in gardens, lawns, and along roadsides.
Black Nightshades (Solanum nigrum)
As broadleaf annuals, black nightshades are typically found in lawns or gardens with exceptionally rich soil. Visually, these weeds are described as bushy or climbing plants that often have white or purple flowers. They are also known to produce fruits that are scarlet or purple. All portions of the plant are said to be poisonous, so if you see any indications of them in your yard, you should get rid of them right away.
Chicory (Chicorium intybus)
This bright weed with flowers is common across North America. It has beautiful blue flowers that cling to the stalks and grows to a height of four feet. Radicchio and Belgian Endive, two cultivars of chicory, are used as salad greens, and the roots can be used as a sweetener and a substitute for coffee. In World War II, chicory was used in place of coffee, and coffee and chicory mixtures have long been a favorite in Europe and the Middle East. Wild chicory’s immature leaves can also be eaten as salad greens before they ripen and turn bitter. So whether you refer to it as a charming weed or a wildflower, chicory is a plant that you can grow in your yard or leave by the highway.
Common Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)
Typical Evening Primrose is a biennial plant that is native to the United States and blooms in the second year. It is an unique plant with distinctive traits. It blooms at night with four-petaled yellow flowers. The four-part sticky stigma in the middle of the flowers, which open in the evening and wilt the following day, is shaped like a cross. These lovely plants are adaptable throughout the United States, growing in a variety of soil types from full sun to partial shade. Are these garden plants, wildflowers, or weeds? Depending on your point of view, they could be any of the three.
Common Ragworts (Jacobaea vulgaris, syn)
Common ragworts are described as having star-shaped yellow flowers and lobed leaves that are either blue or green in color. Common ragworts do re-seed rather quickly, so it’s crucial to get rid of the initial few as soon as you see them to stop future growth.
Remember to wear gloves to protect your hands when removing common ragworts because they emit poisons.
Common St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Although native to temperate Europe and Asia, this yellow-flowered plant has naturalized and spread throughout the Americas. St. John’s Wort is currently popular as a herbal antidepressant and has been used medicinally for millennia to cure wounds. It multiplies quickly and can be used as a two-foot-tall filler plant for empty spaces in the yard thanks to its clusters of half-inch, vivid yellow flowers.
Creeping Buttercups (Ranunculus repens)
You must pay particular attention to how well-drained your soil is if you want to prevent creeping buttercups because they thrive in moist soil. These weeds have tiny, bright yellow flowers, and their extensive root systems enable them to grow and disperse so swiftly.
Creeping Thistles (Cirsium arvense)
Identical in name to the one above, but completely different! Creeping thistles are more common in freshly seeded lawns or in bare patches of established lawns, and visually speaking, they have light purple flowers rather than yellow blossoms. You definitely won’t want them to grow somewhere that you might stroll because their leaves are also believed to be prickly. You should use a fork or a daisy grubber to get rid of these.
Daisy Weeds (Bellis Perennis)
One of the most typical perennial weeds to appear on lawns is the daisy weed. The white petals that encircle a yellow core are their most distinguishing feature, and if you look closely at the leaves, you can tell that they are actually weeds. Green spoon-shaped leaves are characteristic of daisy weeds. You’ll need to invest in a daisy grubber to keep them away if you’ve ever tried to mow down daisy weeds because they are very tough.
Dandelions (Taraxacum)
Visually, you might be able to identify these more easily when they have a fluffy, white ball on top of the stem (we’re sure you’ve made a wish on one before), but a dandelion is actually what appears to be a yellow bloom before it becomes this. These are typically abundant in the spring and fall, and because they can get rather tall, they are simple to identify. Additionally, there are herbicides you may use to spray dandelions that won’t harm your grass even if having thick, healthy grass is the greatest method to prevent them from appearing in your lawn.
Field Bindweed (Convolvulusarvensis)
Field Native to Europe and Asia, bindweed is a trailing, climbing vine with white, bell-shaped blooms. It easily infests your yard and grows along the sides of roads and in fields. Although this lovely weed looks and is related to morning glory, it is difficult to control and, if given the chance to establish a root system, it will compete with your other flowers for nutrition and sunlight. In order to completely eradicate the plant, its underground rhizomes and deep roots must be dug out. Additionally, since they can survive in the soil for up to 20 years, it is advisable to get rid of it before the blossoms set seed.
Fleabane (Erigeron sp.)
Fleabanes are little, half- to three-quarter-inch flowers that resemble daisies and have numerous, delicate white petals and yellow centers. Fleabane comes in a variety of species, all of which bloom from spring to October. They are frequently seen in yards, meadows, fields, and woodlands as well as by the sides of roadways. While most species thrive in direct sunlight, some thrive better in shaded areas. You decide whether to let fleabanes grow in your yard since they look lovely in wildflower gardens.
Goldenrod (Solidago sp.)
In the United States, there are 60–70 different species of goldenrod, each of which has slender, spike-like, or plume-shaped flower heads. These weeds are common sights in fields, meadows, thickets, and open, sunny clearings as well as by the sides of roadways. Since the majority of the species bloom from July through October, they herald the arrival of fall. Although goldenrods are poor garden plants, they are frequently used in floral arrangements with a fall theme.
Henbits (Lamium amplexicaule)
Henbits are winter annuals that have green foliage and pink or purple flowers on top of them. Henbits are usually quite simple to manually remove, which is good news. If you don’t stop them in time, though, they start to take over your garden or lawn. In that scenario, you should decide to choose a post-emergent herbicide to get rid of them.
Jimsonweed, Thorn Apple, Devil’s Snare (Datura stramonium)
You wouldn’t want a plant called jimsonweed in your yard. It bears 3-5 long, trumpet-shaped, night-blooming blooms that range in color from white to light purple, as well as coarsely serrated leaves. Like all of its cousins in the nightshade family, it is believed to be native to Central America, and it has expanded and naturalized across the entire country. Although the blossom is lovely, the plant carries potentially harmful hallucinogenic chemicals. It would be better to get rid of this weed for the security of your family.
Milkweed (Asclepias sp.)
Monarch butterflies can find nectar from milkweeds, which have dense clusters of pinkish-purple blooms. They are common in fields and meadows and are native to North America. A common garden flower for butterfly gardens is Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa), which belongs to this genus. Large-textured plants with a preference for moist soil and full sun define the several kinds of milkweed.
Oxalis (corniculata)
Don’t be duped into thinking an oxalis plant is a clover! Although its leaves resemble clovers, you may distinguish it by looking for blooms. Both in the summer and the fall, oxalis plants produce a cup-shaped yellow bloom. There is a considerable probability that you will notice these in your yard because they are known to flourish in both bright and shady regions. By putting mulch down in the spring, you can fend them off.
White Clovers (trifolium repens)
White clover weeds are best described as producing white or pink flowers, and they are typically found growing in soil that is rich in nutrients. These weeds are also perennial and are distinguished by having three-lobed leaves. These specific weeds are more prevalent in your lawn’s sunnier and somewhat shaded regions. Although weeds are typically thought of as an annoyance, they may really be rather beneficial since they release nitrogen into the soil.
Wild Roses (Rosa sp.)
United States pastures, meadows, forests, hedgerows, and yards are all home to native wild roses. They spread farther than their selectively bred cousins and are more shrubby. Depending on the species, their lovely pink or white flowers have five flat petals each and bloom from May through August. There is a following for wild roses, and some people like them for their unpretentious beauty. Some people view them as weeds. They do need to be cut back to keep them in check when planted in a garden because they have a tendency to spread and take over a space.