American Lawn: Bristly Sow Thistle
American Lawn: Bristly Sow Thistle
Ok, I know it’s somewhat strange, walking around one’s lawn and picking… ‘weeds.’ I know it’s odd-looking, but will you humor me for the length of this read (which is probably not much more than a minute)? It isn’t refined, sitting right by kale in an organic part of a grocery store. It’s not lauded for its superfood qualities (should be). We like that word, ‘superfood,’ it’s got a real ring, doesn’t it? Those ‘superfoods’ speak of health, are portrayed as exotic, and end up taking up significant room in your wallet. Dandelions (greens and flowers) sold in health food stores are a great example.
I walk past people’s lawns daily. Some are green and lush, and I wonder how much water, fertilizer, and whatever else it took to make them look so pretty, if not particularly useful. Some are less manicured, giving free rein to… unplanted plants, known as ‘weeds.’ And why not? Honestly, why not? So, take this Bristly Sow Thistle (ok, agree the name itself is a deterrent). If you plug this name into a search bar, you’d be drowning in the information. I’ll save you some time and give you a few examples: loaded with antioxidants, rich in vitamins A, E, & C, high in potassium (good for blood pressure), mildly sedative (so think help with anxiety & stress), gut and liver health, wound care, and that white sap (similar to dandelions) – think warts or just pimples medicine. Besides, it’s edible. If you like kale, you’d like it. Seriously. Steam (helps with the ‘bristly’ part), chop, and sauté with garlic and olive oil. Great on bread or pasta or mixed with other vegetables. It’s a formidable (save the look… and the name) and unassuming plant. It grows everywhere where humans conduct their lives: lawns, on the side of a road, and fields. It follows us everywhere, showing up even on city lawns and sidewalks, providing great daily nutrition and austere medicine. Give it a try… or a thought. It is certainly not worth an all-out war packaged in an eighty-dollar fertilizer bag. After all, what would you do with all that grass?
