September’s column discussed the actions and benefits offered to us by herbs considered weeds and, as promised, this column will “name names” of herbal weeds/weedy herbs.  A reminder: “One person’s weed is another’s medicine/food/mulch/cover crop/etc.” So let’s uncover some virtues (yes, virtues!) of weeds . . .

CHICKWEED (Stellaria media, spp.) – Found in soils with high organic matter at soil surface, with low mineral content; prefers low alkaline conditions. Liming the soil and raising the pH will keep it out of lawns. Feed to hogs, rabbits and poultry. Excellent medicinal herb.

CHICORY (Cichorium intybus) – Found in fairly good fertile clay or heavy soil with limestone, along roadsides and meadows. As a perennial not a problem in cultivated fields. Makes good hay! In Europe chicory is declared superior to alfalfa in haymaking.

CLEAVERS (Gallium aparine) – One of 25 species in the bedstraw family. As an annual, cleavers appears in woods, fence rows, along roadsides, and in meadows with generally rich, shaded ground. Grazing animals love it, including geese and poultry (nicknames include Goosegrass and, in Scotland, Sticky Willy). Gallium means “milk” since bedstraws were used for centuries to curdle milk for cheesemaking; aparine means “to seize,” which refers to the hooked bristles on the stems.

DANDELION – (Taraxacum officinale – Found in weak, sparse lawns, also in areas with low calcium content, and slow-to-decompose organic matter. Widely distributed, especially in areas with heavy clay and low pH. Top-notch food and medicinal herb.

DOCK, SORREL (Rumex spp.) – Damp, acid soil with low calcium content and slow decomposition of organic matter. Usually soil is poorly drained rather than consistently wet, as in ditches, etc. Yellow dock (R. crispus) is extremely persistent but can be eradicated by pulling when ground is wet. If roots are too big and old to pull, chop tops an inch below soil surface and drop salt onto wound.

EVENING PRIMROSE (Oenothera spp.) – O. biennis is biennial, very common in pastures and fields left fallow for a year or two. Edible rosette and roots in the first year, pollinated by sphinx moths. Common in open places. Pull or plow under before plant throws seed.

JEWELWEED, TOUCH-ME-NOT (Impatiens biflora, I. Pallida) – Found in damp, shady places, often were soil has washed in from above, along ephemeral streams or ditches, and in damp woods. The perfect poison ivy and sting remedy, its botanical name refers to the spring-action of its coiled seed pods. Biflora means “two-flowered” (flowers are usually in pairs) and is orange; pallida refers to the pale yellow flowering jewelweed, both in our region.

LAMB’S QUARTERS (Chenopodium album) – REJOICE! If you find this weed in your garden, it indicates rich, fertile soil with a good deal of organic matter, high in humus. This annual is easy to eradicate, just pull and feed to livestock and poultry. Named from two Greek words meaning “goose: and “foot,” album refers to silvery-white undersides of the leaves. Cultivated soil with high fertility is the ideal habitat for this weedy herb. Good potherb when young and tender.

MILKWEED (Asclepias syriaca) – Indicator of good soil, milkweed is generally found in fallow and cultivated areas. This perennial sends up many shoots from the deep rootstalk, even when pulled repeatedly.

MULLEIN (Verbascum thapsus) – One of the easiest weeds to identify, mullein comes from melanders, meaning “leprosy,” for which mullein was used as a treatment. A biennial, easy to eradicate, found in fields, rocky or gravelly banks, neglected meadows with low lime and fertility levels.

MUSTARD (Brassica arvensis) – Fast-growing weed in grain fields, smothers out grains. Chickens love it! Prefers cool, moist soil and will grow very quickly once desired crop is harvested. Excellent soil cleanser.

NETTLES (Urtica spp.) – Reside in anaerobic, damp soil where organic matter ferments rather than decomposes. Improve soil through aeration. Prefers alkaline soil but will grow in acidic conditions.

PIGWEED (Amaranthus spp.) – REJOICE! Pigweed is a terrific indicator of terrific soil, meaning rich, humusy soil. This annual weed is easy to remove – pull and feed to hogs and chickens. Quite nutritional, whether used as greens or flour from seeds. Found mostly on tilled sites.

PLANTAIN (Plantago spp.) – Perennials that flower and fruit in second and subsequent years, so won’t become pest in cultivated areas unless soil is neglected. Found extensively in compacted, poorly drained soil, and lawns where grass is cut too short, as tall grass shades seeds, prevents germination. Prefers acid soil.

RAGWEED (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) – Grows rank in good soils; in poor soils, it is crowded out by weeds that are better adapted. Requires plenty of nitrogen and moisture, so vigorous stands indicate fertile soil.

YARROW (Achillea millefolium) – Pastures and meadows with low potassium, seldom in cultivated soil. Botanical name means “thousand-leafed plant.”

Use this information as a basis for further research as you begin to observe and note plant populations on your land. Be sure to review last month’s guidelines in drawing conclusions about your soil’s conditions.

Want to know more about Life In The Soil? A short video by the same name will premier again at the annual WV Herb Association conference, Sat., October 9 at Jacksons Mill Conference Center, Weston.  Amazing microphotography of the symbiosis between plants and microorganisms will offer participants a greater understanding of the drama taking place beneath our feet. For information, contact smokecamp@hughes.net. Hope to see you there.