Some weeds of note

These cannot be left out as they can be important forage sources at times, though not always appreciated.
During a visit to a park in Houston, Texas, I was frustrated by the lack of flowering plants at the time. It seems that the main areas of the park were devoted to greenery and foliage, until I got lucky. A reporter from the local newspaper found me in a back section of the park labelled “Wildflowers Growing.” Here I found native bees aplenty, on plants that we would regard as weeds here. Things like purple top, dandelion, thistles, cobblers pegs and many more.

PLANT

DESCRIPTION

PHOTO

Bidens pilosa (Cobblers pegs)

This ubiquitous weed is the absolute bane of gardeners, but a good forage source for bees. As a result, beekeepers do not have a good reputation for weeding.

Thistles

The flower of Scotland is a showy background for our native bees that find it a useful forage source

Lantana

This terribly invasive weed does have some redeeming features, and I suggest that clearing be done progressively. The area below is great fauna habitat, all types, and reed bees find the stems suitable for their nests. Just look for the holes in the stems

Verbena bonariensis (Purple Top)

The flowers of this widespread weed are used by many native bees

Blue billygoat weed (Ageratum houtonianum)

Common weed in gardens. probably in the ‘Wild flowers growing area’ in the Houston park. Liked by Apis and stingless bees.

Rapistrum rugosum (Wild Turnip)

A very common weed of farming country

Photo by Marc Newman

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