The A to Z Book of Weeds and Other Useful Plants

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Weeds are often edible, although I’d always recommend caution and never eating anything if you’re uncertain of its provenance.

The English ivy, also known as the common ivy, is a woody perennial weed that climbs walls, trees, and other structures using aerial roots. It has glossy, dark green leaves and produces small greenish-yellow flowers.

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Canada Thistle is a perennial weed that spreads by seed. It has its origins in Europe but was introduced to America in the 16th Century, among other agricultural shipments. Thistle is very common and is identifiable as a weed by its purple spiky flowers. But the biggest culprits are birds that excrete undigested berry seeds while in flight, which land in your garden.

Biological control with fungal pathogens of the genus Septoria and of the genus Phoma has been investigated. The species demonstrate sufficient pathogenicity and host specificity to be regarded as promising biocontrol agents. The host-specific fungus, Erysiphe convolvuli, has also been evaluated as a potential biocontrol agent of field bindweed. An inoculum of the fungus Phomopsis convolvulus has caused severe damage to field bindweed plants at all growth stages. The extent of the damage varied with plant age. Seedlings at early leaf stages were more sensitive than established plants. Timing and weather conditions are critical if biological control is to be effective. Slender speedwell has many common names, including creeping speedwell, threadstalk speedwell, birdseye speedwell, creeping veronica, whetzel weed and gypsy weed. Woody weeds are the strongest sort of weeds, as well as the tallest. That makes them the most difficult to control, especially when they spread on lawns and pastures. But weeds have had a bad rap over the years. And sometimes, we should embrace the wild and allow them to live and spread around our gardens.

Notes: Lesser Celandine sports a similar appearance to a relative, the Common Buttercup. It grows in woodlands and gardens.