Monday, August 26, 2013

A Flower or a Weed?

by Terri



A flower or a weed?  This is Queen Anne’s Lace and many people consider it an invasive weed. But it is so photogenic that I think we can forgive its invasive nature. Also, caterpillars of the Eastern Black Swallowtail butterfly eat the leaves, bees and other insects drink the nectar, and predatory insects, such as the Green Lacewing, come to Queen Anne’s Lace to attack prey, such as aphids. People can eat the large taproot which, of course, is a carrot.  But, to me, its beauty far outweighs these other benefits. They make me think of this Ralph Waldo Emerson quote:

”What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have never been discovered.”




8 comments:

Sarah Huizenga said...

Queen Anne's lace is on my bucket list to photograph this week. I love it when it is in full bloom and when it is in it's winter skeleton state.

kelly said...

hey i recognize that barn. :) and yes, queen anne's lace is just so photogenic. this is lovely terri.

Deanna said...

One of our prettiest midwest wildflowers and even prettier up against that great midwest barn!!

heyjudephotography said...

I have always loved Queen Anne's lace. As a little girl I'd pick it and give it bouquets of it to my Mother. You've captured it so beautifully here, and the barn in the background...sigh....

Roxi H said...

I plan on planting some next year. They do get quite tall here. We didn't have them growing up so I am even more fascinated with them.

Dotti said...

*** BIG SMILE *** on my face when I saw this photo. Such wonderful memories it evokes. Then a *** BIG SIGH ***. I like Deanna's definition: midwest wildflower. I may just have to seek some out in these parts.

Kim Stevens said...

A weed is only a weed if it's in the wrong place, and this looks like it IS in the right place!

Cathy H. said...

Beautiful capture! With such a "queenly" name, it should be a flower!

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