What Magical Weeds are Growing in Your Backyard?

[Xiao Rong]

Hello everyone! One thing I love doing is finding out what weeds are growing in my backyard -- I'm always shocked by how many magical or medicinal uses there are for them. Why spend a load of money buying dried herbs online when you can find so many wonderful and beautiful things growing in your backyard? It's also a wonderful way to get to know your local fauna.

Here are just a few I've found:

- Plantain - a well-known healing herb
- Siberian Squill - one of the first wildflowers to bloom here in the spring, and also has many protective properties
- Dandelions - an edible and medicinal plant that can enhance psychic properties & grant wishes
- Periwinkle - a flower that promotes love
- Thimbleweed - a poisonous wildflower that helps with love

What have you found in your backyard? (or front yard, or street, or neighborhood!)

[SpiritTalker]

I feel like I have everything I need right out back. Nightshade grows wild and rampant along fences in the alley & between garages, and wild grape and yarrow invade everywhere that isn't constantly maintained. I scattered mint seeds years ago, and it has spread beyond my wildest dreams. It is my favorite herb. And I have a rescued rose bush, and may apple clump from roadside construction rescue. Plenty of dandelions too!

May apple: (root) fertility, psychism, poisonous-do not ingest
Mint: abundance, cleansing, psychism, spirituality; great as tea mixed with Rose
Rose petals: abundance, psychism, love, healing
Nightshade:a funeral plant, death, Transcendence, poisonous-do not ingest
Wild grape: fertility, abundance
Yarrow: healing and the Sight

Queen Annes Lace and Periwinkle grow in late summer along the freeway, a block away. They're so pretty.

[smogie_michele]

Aside from the dandelions, we seem to have had a recent outbreak in Mint! My inlaws have never used any time of pesticide, so I am planning on harvesting some before we move to add to my sage bundle... and for some pretty wonderful mojitos.
Also, we also have a muscadine vine in the backyard. It won't be ready to bloom until late summer, but just hanging out by the bush feels magical to me. My grandfather made muscadine wine when I was a little girl, so that may be it.

[Firebird]

Good topic Xiao!
I love weed, uh ...I mean weeds joking
My favorite weed that curently pervades the yard is:
lambs quarters- chenopodium album
http://www.ediblewildfood.com/lambs-quarters.aspx
Think I'll go pick some now!
FF

[Firebird]

Found this really cool link to the old world names of many plants and weeds.
http://www.tryskelion.com/herbs_old_wor ... herbs.html
Bb, Firebird

[Myrth]

Dandelions, violets, lilacs, apples, mint, lemon balm, rosemary, thyme, roses, elder, cedar, clovers.....

[smogie_michele]

I woke up this morning to my father in law cutting the grass... he also picked the dandelions and put them in a vase with water for me.

[Xiao Rong]

Very cool, y'all. A lot of mint and dandelions amongst this group (they just started blooming in my backyard!) FF, thanks for the link to old world names -- definitely a fun way to spice up my BoS!