A colourful, illustrated celebration of wild plants around the world,
and why we should love them not loathe them, with 50 graphic
illustrations by Paul Farrell.
To call a plant a weed is doing it a real injustice. It's simply a wild
plant that is not deliberately cultivated, growing where it is not
wanted. By this definition, virtually any plant outside a carefully
tended garden is a weed.
The intolerance of weeds is a mark of how we have turned our backs on
nature and urbanized our land and lives. In this enlightening survey,
illustrator Paul Farrell uncovers the wild beauty in weeds and explains
the benefits of rewilding ourselves a little. Weeds can be medicine,
food, and an important aid for wildlife. One person's weed is another's
wild beauty.
Paul's brilliant modernist illustration style shows us dandelions,
thistles and feverfew in a whole new light. Each of the 50 weeds
featured is accompanied by a quirky history and its uses in medicine,
cooking, arts and even industry.
Sample contents:
US/Canada weeds: Dandelion; Daisy; Groundsell; Chickweed; Nettle;
Wild carrot; Sumac.
UK/Europe weeds: Foxglove; Deadly nightshade; Yarrow; Rosebay
willowherb; Herb Robert; Scarlet Pimpernel; Violet; Wood Sorrel; Red
valerian; Common knapweed