Weedy Habitat Homepage

I continually asked that question as I scoured the countryside, yards, and streets looking for plants that were out of place.


Fig.1 Tree growing out of a fence	Fig.2 The remains of a vine	Fig.3 Weeds around a fence	Fig.4 Locust close to a fence

Figure 1 shows a young tree that germinated underneath the bottom board of the fence then had to grow horizontally before it could successfully find space to grow.

The remains of the liana in Fig. 2 intrigued me. The owner of the fence obviously didn't want it growing there but failed to completely remove it from the fence. This hints to the original success of the liana. It was able to entangle itself within the fence making for a lot of work for anyone wanting to get rid of it.

The giant foxtail and wild parsnip growing through the chain link fence near an industrial area in Fig. 3 were successful because this area didn't appear to be well kept. It looked as if the area was mowed periodically but any weeds growing near or within the fence would escape. You can also see some dandelions and clover growing at the base of the fence and near the telephone pole. Don't mind the case of Natural Lite beer...

Figure 4 shows an additional way plants can be "sneaky" in their attempts at survival. This honey locust growing on campus has made a nice living near one of the exits to the agronomy building. The fact that this tree is growing very close to the chain fence, gives it away as a weed. It was successful because it escaped the diligent weeding of the campus grounds keepers who probably mistook it for a "desirable" tree.


Fig.5 Dandelions near a wall	Fig.6 Tree seedling in asphalt

I also found that many types of plant are adept at taking advantage of cracks and crevices near walls. In Fig. 5 there are several dandelions growing out of a long crack in the pavement. Imagine a dandelion seed floating, perhaps along the ground, then encountering a deep crevice at the base of the wall. There it finds the resources it needs to germinate.

The story may be similar for the small tree growing straight out of this asphalt parking lot in Fig. 6. However, the parking lot was so new, the seed or seedling was mostly likely paved over or caught up in the asphalt as a seed. When it germinated it was lucky enough to be in a place where resources were available.


Fig.7 Weeds in a corner	Fig.8 Pineapple weed	Fig.9 Rhubarb by a garage	Fig.10 Various weeds near a wall

Walls also provide other environments in which unwanted plants thrive. The corner in Fig. 7 has afforded a shaded area where grass has been unable to grow. Several weedy annuals have taken advantage of this open space.

The pineapple weed in Fig. 8 is flourishing in this low area near a parking lot. The roof also directs rain to this location that would normally be very dry due to the rocky ground.

In the past, I have not considered rhubarb to be a weed (Fig. 9), but this one was growing behind a garage in someone's very shady yard. Perhaps there used to be a garden near here.

In Fig. 10 the border next to another garage provided enough bare space for several species of weeds to take hold. This area again had sufficient shading to prevent competing grass from growing.


Fig.11 Mulberry next to a garage	Fig.12 Large tree next to a garage

The above two figures show a before and after sequence of what can happen if a perennial is allowed to grow next to a building. It also broadened my definition of the term "weed". The tree in Fig. 12 is about 100 yards from my deck. I didn't recognize it as out of place until I started looking for weeds.


Fig.13 Liana behind garbage can	Fig.14 Curtis Hall	Fig.15 Remains of a liana

Unwanted vines were another common theme on buildings. The liana in Fig. 13 is growing on the horse barn on campus. The vine and garbage can may have been there for sometime. Perhaps the garbage can shielded the initial growth of the liana from view while it established itself.

The liana in Fig. 14 is growing on Curtis Hall. It is probably 100 ft tall and demonstrates the extent to which some species of vine can grow.

The cleanup of many vines can be a challenge (Fig. 15). The presence of the trestle indicates the vine in this picture was probably wanted at one point.