That Which We Call A Weed ...

... had other names - and uses - in times when plants meant more to us.  The History Girls have some very interesting info about weeds, weeders, and tools, in beds and in large crops.  Also some musing on how cultivating plants can be like writing, and a parting shot on culture itself.

Archaeological sites unearthing soil previously covered to some depth have suddenly bloomed with ancient varieties of plant that have lain dormant for as much as 2000 years – truly the living past.

(And we have a word on THAT - definitely *not* a weed, but a Judean date palm - here.)