Weeds

"To most of us, weeds can seem nothing more than intruders in gardens, farms and city streets. But the idea of the weed is a slippery one, constantly changing according to different needs, fashions and contexts. In a well-ordered field of corn, a scarlet poppy is a bright red intruder, but in other parts of the world it is an important cultural symbol, a potent and lucrative pharmaceutical source, or simply a beautiful ornament. Fat hen, which today we consider a pest, was in Neolithic times a staple crop, its seeds an important source of nutrition. Weeds sketches the history of the fashions and attitudes that have shaped our fields and gardens, showing that what we keep out of them is just as fascinating as what we put in."--Back cover.

About the author

Nina Edwards is a freelance writer based in London. Her books include Darkness: A Cultural History (2018) and Pazazz: The Impact and Resonance of White Clothing (2023), both published by Reaktion Books.

Summary

A scientific and cultural history of weeds, from unwanted intruder to beautiful ornament.

Product details

• Authors: Nina Edwards, Edwards Nina
• Publisher: Reaktion Books
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.09.2024
• EAN: 9781789149586
• ISBN: 978-1-78914-958-6
• No. of pages: 240
• Series: Botanical
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Biology > Botany; NATURE / Plants / General, Trees, wildflowers & plants, Trees, wildflowers and plants: general interest