This is the second in a series of blogs, shared with permission, about weeds in the garden. Each blog will discuss a common and specific weed found in Maine, its history, uses, what story it tells about the soil it grows in, and how to get rid of it. The original blogs, along with other gardening related blogs, can be found here.

Queen Anne’s Lace, daucus carota, is the ancestor of cultivated carrots. Tall and airy in appearance, it’s beautiful flowers are a haven for pollinators on the sides of roads or abandoned city plots. It can be distinguished from poison hemlock through its hairy stems and distinct, closely-bunched, flat-topped flower head. I was always told it was poisonous (not unlike Henry Holly), but have since learned that isn’t accurate.

It is generally edible. The seeds are good in soups and stews, the flower head can be battered and fried. The root is good grated, and tastes like carrots, but can become woody (like any plant in the family that has gone to seed). It contains vitamins A, B and C, biotin and also pectin.

Pliny and Dioscorides thought it had aphrodisiac properties, which may be because carrot leaves contain porphyrins which lead to the release of increased sex hormones. Chinese medicine also considers the plant useful for use as a treatment for parasites, diuretic and a bactericidal. Its thick sap has been used for cough and congestion.

Despite all of these positive qualities – there is a significant reason why women should be careful when consuming it. The plant, since Hippocrates, was prescribed as a contraceptive and abortifacient. Scribonius used it in a concoction for sterility. Pliny discusses the use of seeds for this purpose. Much later, Culpeper does as well, also preferring the seeds to the roots. Even today, some women use the seeds as a contraceptive – chewing the seeds daily during the period prior to ovulation and for a week after ovulation. There is a theory, based on Chinese research, that the seeds block progesterone synthesis.

What does it mean?

Soil where Queen Anne’s Lace thrives is typically along roadsides, pastures, building lots or really anyplace humans have disturbed the soil. McCaman suggests it’s deep taproots indicate deep soil that could be used for growing things.

The soil typically has very low amounts of phosphate, low amounts of calcium and potash, and high amounts of iron, boron, chlorine and selenium. All four of these should only be trace minerals. Pfeiffer suggests the soil itself may have good drainage and a good ability to break down dead plants in it, but may lack adequate moisture, decaying plant matter or bacteria. McCaman agrees, there is a positive correlation between the number of plants in an area and its soil fertility.

To stop it’s growth and spread, apply well-rotted humus over manure in areas when you fertilize.  The plant primarily spreads through seeds, so another good way to halt it’s growth is by cutting off the plant close to the ground after it start to go to seed. Do not cut it before the flowers start to die though, or like any carrot, it will spread from the root instead.

Want to learn more?

If you would like to learn more about weeds, why they grow, and what that means about your garden, consider the following texts:

Weeds and Why they Grow, by Jay L. McCaman

Weeds and What They Tell Us, by Ehrenfried E. Pfeiffer

This is the first in a series of blogs, shared with permission, about weeds in the garden. Each blog will discuss a common and specific weed found in Maine, its history, uses, what story it tells about the soil it grows in, and how to get rid of it. The original blogs, along with other gardening related blogs, can be found here.

Creeping charlie, Glechoma hederacea, is a fast growing ground cover and is actually a member of the mint family. It is also known as ground ivy, gill-over-the-ground, runaway robin, lizzie-run-up-the-hedge, alehoof, tunhoof, catsfoot and field-balm. Like many of our modern “weeds” the plant has a long and varied history of use. It was brought to North America by European settlers who ate it and used it as a ground cover. If it is especially healthy, the plant can reach 8 or 10″ tall, but typically it simply grows out, spreading rapidly once it finishes flowering in early spring.

The plant is edible. Leaves can be used in soups, salads or stews, or eaten cooked or raw like spinach or cress. It can be used in beer or cheese-making, where it is used in place of animal rennet. Both McLean and Breverton document its use in gruit for beer brewing back to the Saxons. The leaves are considered high in iron and vitamin C. Medicinally it was used to treat sciatica, indigestion and kidney disorders. It is considered useful for preventing scurvy, and for brusing or black eyes. One study showed it can help reduce tumor growth as well.

What does it mean?

In general, creeping charlie can be found growing anywhere the soils are moist and shady, and are easily able to overtake areas where the other plants are not healthy and thriving.  According to Jay L. McCaman , it’s appearance also means that the soil is likely low in calcium, potash and hummus and very low in phosphate. It may not drain well, and when it is dry for too long will develop a type of crust.  Finally there are probably not enough healthy aerobic bacteria in the soil.

The best way to deal with creeping charlie is to improve your general soil quality, decrease soil moisture and to provide more sun for the space.  Consider trimming back treas, top-dressing the soil, adding a heavy layer of mulch and watering less frequently. If the plant is not firmly established in a space consider adding other ground covers to compete with it.  The USDA states livestock tend to avoid the plant because older leaves have a bitter taste.

Borax is not considered an effective treatment for creeping charlie, despite numerous rumors online.  If the above methods are unsuccessful at removing the plant, consider burning off the weed, pulling it by hand, or by covering the space with a heavy suppression system that will kill it.

Want to learn more?

If you would like to learn more about weeds, why they grow, and what that means about your garden, consider the following texts:

Weeds and Why they Grow, by Jay L. McCaman

Weeds and What They Tell Us, by Ehrenfried E. Pfeiffer

Photo from Wikimedia Commons, by Jay Sturner.