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submitted 7 months ago by fossilesque@mander.xyz to c/science_memes@mander.xyz

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[-] orphiebaby@lemm.ee 18 points 7 months ago

Dude, I just had this realization on my own a few months ago. I grew up thinking weeds literally choked the life out of grass and other plants by definition. So after some thought I started saying to myself and others "weeds are just any plant you don't desire in your yard, they aren't a species or group, the word means nothing"

[-] fossilesque@mander.xyz 5 points 7 months ago

https://awkwardbotany.com/2015/10/07/in-defense-of-weeds-a-book-review/

[-] brisk@aussie.zone 18 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

Are y'all referring to native plants as weeds? I use it pretty much synonymously with "invasive species"

[-] Kolanaki@yiffit.net 19 points 7 months ago

The basic definition of a weed is merely any plant growing where you don't want it to. Technically, an apple tree can be a weed if it's somewhere you don't want it to be.

[-] ThisIsAManWhoKnowsHowToGling@lemmy.dbzer0.com 8 points 7 months ago

I think the usual definition is closer to "a plant that REALLY wants to be in a space you don't want it to be, and refuses to leave once it's in".

For example, I think it's fairly uncontroversial to call grass a weed. Sure, we like our lawns, but they really want to spread anywhere they can. They are more aggressive than dandelions, and the only reason we hate dandelions more is their taproot.

[-] Ephera@lemmy.ml 4 points 7 months ago

My mum refers to dandelions as weeds and they're native here in Europe. They are still rather invasive, as in if you're trying to grow a vegetable garden or something, they'll be all over that in no time, thanks to their floating seeds and hardiness.

But yeah, personally, I don't really get why our vegetable garden needs to be a 100% dandelion-free zone. Heck, you can even use them in salads and whatnot.