Friday, February 21, 2025

Weed Art OR NOT

 


Our yard is full of Bidens Alba and tiny plants made this art. The ones I transplanted on the base of the pine stump are 20 inches tall. The yard is full of these, yet I have no photos to show other than this sad little guy.

Bidens alba

Wikipedia
bidens alba from en.wikipedia.org
Bidens alba, which belongs to the family Asteraceae, is most commonly known as shepherd's needles, beggarticks, Spanish needles, or butterfly needles.


the Plus comes in that this plant has many uses.
Bidens alba, also known as Spanish needles, has many benefits, including being a food source, a nectar source for pollinators, and a potential treatment for infections.

Food source

The leaves of Bidens alba are edible and can be eaten raw or cooked.

They are high in fiber, protein, carotenes, folate, and magnesium.

The leaves can be used in salads, soups, or stir fry.

The dried leaves can be used as a tobacco substitute.

Nectar source

Bidens alba provide a nectar source for butterflies and honey-bees. 
(The bees are back in our yard and loving these weeds.)

Treatment for infections

Bidens alba can treat infections, particularly those that affect mucous membranes.

A poultice of the leaves can treat skin infections like MRSA.

Other benefits

Bidens alba is a top pollinator in Central Florida.

Bidens alba is a source of nutrients similar to kale.

THIS POST IS THE LAST OF THE DRAFTS I CREATED AND HATED AND DID NOT POST.  
DRAFT IS CLEAR,
THE PERFECT TIME TO TAKE A BREAK. .




30 comments:

  1. All weeds are wildflowers and this is a very pretty one. Lots of uses too, amazing.

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  2. Thank you for the education. Have a good rest! ❤️

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  3. I have never heard or seen these before. Sounds like a miracle plant! I hope you have a nice break!!

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  4. thats an interesting name of this weed ;o) we like all things wildflowers, they are the roses of mother nature

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  5. We have a different kind of Bidens here...and they make awful 'stickers'. They are everywhere! Yours are a lot prettier!

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  6. Hello,
    They are pretty weed, more like a flower to me.
    It is great that the bees love them too.
    Take care, have a great day and a happy weekend.

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  7. Hari OM
    What a useful 'stray' to have appear in your yard! YAM xx

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  8. It has pretty little flowers on it. Being so useful it's a shame to call it a weed.
    Enjoy your break.

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  9. It’s a beautiful little flower, well deserving of love and respect. Enjoy your time away and come back to us refreshed and raring to go!

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  10. This little weed is pretty and there is lots more to it than that! Thanks for all the info on it.
    Enjoy your break and see you soon!

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  11. I call them Spanish needles and they are popping up everywhere! Hugs!

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  12. I'd no idea! ... I only know they're adorable. So sprightly and cheerful despite whatever Mother Nature throws at them.
    This reminds me of that part in the movie (Take Me Home) where she digs up the clover and brings along on their journey.

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  13. Even weeds are pretty in the sunshine state... this is quite dainty to pop up in the cracks
    Hugs cecilia

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  14. Love the "weeds" and enjoy your break. Reboot and recharge.
    Off to Lynne's now for my next to last time caring for her on a regular basis. More information coming soon.
    Sue

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  15. What a very cute little weedy plant...and useful too!
    Enjoy your break!

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  16. Hi Sandra :)
    What pretty flowers, with so many uses. Take care enjoy your break.

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  17. I haven't heard of this one, but at least it has cute little flowers. I'm sure there are many things out there that we see as weeds, that really have medicinal advantages. thanks for sharing this information. Good to know.

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  18. What a cute little flower. It will be a long time before we see any flowers blooming around here.

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  19. This little plant is adorable...of course, I often like "weeds" and will mow around some of them,LOL! Let us know if you decide to cook it!

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  20. Spanish Needles! I eradicate those in our yard whenever possible. They do attract bees and other insects though but I don't want them on my property.
    Enjoy a break. You deserve it. What a month, right?!
    Blessings. 💗

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  21. I will definitely be more respectful of this little 'wildflower'. I haven't done much with it because it gets those beggar stickers on them as they die, and I don't like them on my clothes! But I had NO idea the plant was so valuable. I should have known! God does everything with a purpose. I wish we could practice old time natural medicine more in this day. I think we'd be better off than with all the artificial dangerous junk they keep making us take. So there. Take care my friend. Get some rest. Don't be gone too long. I will miss you.

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  22. Weed art works for me! I hope you enjoy your break!

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  23. What do you feel they are? I like them. I see that and I see how strong they are to break ground where they did. How long are you going to be gone? I will miss you.

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  24. They are very pretty and yes it is art. It is pretty amazing all the benefits that plant has.

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  25. I have always heard that weeds are just misunderstood wildflowers, so you do not have any, Sandra. Enjoy your blog break and see you when you're back. I have a number of blog drafts to either work on or delete.

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  26. When I add wild flowers to food, my stepson calls it weed salad!
    And I think pretty weeds look better than just plain dirt!

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  27. We all need to rewind every now and then. I hope all is well though. I'm having some thoughts about blogging, not sure where they will lead.

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  28. If it were my garden or walkway. I'd keep them. I love weeds.

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