We Called it Ditch Weed and Left it Alone (Cannabis sativa)

The New York Times (11/20/24) reported funding of research on whether cannabis extracts can effectively treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and commented that this is a first because as a Schedule 1 Narcotic, permission to study cannabis has been difficult to impossible. That set off a lot of memories for me. 

marijuana (Canabis sativa) amid weeds

Teasel, Dipsacus fullonum, Once an Important Tool

Teasels, Dipsacus fullonum and Dipsacus sativus,  in the teasel family, Dipsacaceae, for centuries were essential to the clothing industry. Today, in North America, they are noxious weeds.

teasel showing the seed heads

Quick Overview of Bee Pollination

Bees are numerous and are good pollinators, so many plant species have flowers tailored to bees.

Bumblebee (Bombus) pollinating golden banner (Thermopsis montana)

Plant Story--Artichoke, Cynara cardunculus, Edible Thistle

You do know that the artichoke is the immature flower head of a thistle, don't you? It is a strange vegetable, with layers of leaves you tear off to eat a bit of "meat" at the base, but that doesn't make most people think of thistles. Nevertheless, the artichoke, Cynara cardunculus, sunflower family Asteraceae, is the cultivated version of a big thistle from around the Mediterranean, the wild ones called cardoons or artichoke thistles.

artichoke (Cynara cardunculus) in grocery store