Sunday, March 21, 2010

A "Weed" is in the Eye of the Beholder

Last week, I wrote a post about Bradford Pear Trees, one of the prettiest early-Spring blooming trees here in Vicksburg. While I was out taking pictures of the Bradford Pears, I noticed several patches of tiny purple "weeds" growing amongst the grass near the pear trees. Of course, I had to get a closer look at the pretty purple flowers, so I stopped and took some pictures of them, too.

As I looked through the macro lens of my camera, I was amazed at how beautiful these delicate little flowers are up close. You can click on the photos to enlarge them, if you'd like.

After googling "purple weeds," I discovered that my purple flowers are a member of the mint family and are called "Henbit." A winter annual that blooms in the spring, Henbit is found throughout the United States. It's probably not very popular when it's growing in your grass ... but, after seeing these pictures, perhaps the next time you see some on the side of the road, you will remember the beauty hidden amongst all those little purple "weeds."

9 comments:

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Beautiful weeds and absolutely beautiful photos!

RachelD said...

When I first saw these in your album last week, I first thought, "Vetch," but it sounds such a disagreeable word. It's known as a weed all across the South.

On second look, the leaves are wider, and these look like the tiniest of orchids. And besides, I've always been of the firm conviction that the Lord created flowers, and it's only PEOPLE who pronounce that some of them are weeds.

It's probably the same folks who also designate some other FOLKS as weeds, as well, and we know what we think of THEM.

(Dismounting now---hope I don't fall---it's a long drop off this High Horse!:)

Stacey said...

I'm giggling because they are so pretty when you see a patch of blooming weeds. Not amongst the grass in my yard though!

Deb said...

I love your new header...love the purple (weeds) flowers...some so called weeds are my favorite flowers...

Marjorie (Molly) Smith said...

I love them and did have them in my 2 acre yard...don't mind them at all, they added such beauty to the yard until it was time to start cutting grass. For some reason don't see any this year, Could be cause DH mulched all the leaves a few weeks ago and cut them back.
Your shots are so beautiful.
Molly

PAT said...

I think this is what we see growing in the fields up here. It's almost like waves of purple. Beautiful. I always look forward to seeing these flowers each Spring.

Your photos are wonderful Janie.

nancygrayce said...

Well, they're beautiful weeds!

Tonja said...

I really think there is probably a sermon in your post! How often we see the lovely flowers...and don't take the time to study the weed s(the tired, lonely, homeless, poor,
downtrodden). Our lens go to the biggest and brightest and we talk about their glowing colors and their exquisite petals and their delightful fragrance...oh how wonderful they are! But, upon closer inspection...so are the weeds!

Wow! I guess I need to go get ordained! Thanks for letting me ramble on here! Great post!

debbiebeth said...

These pretty purple flowers have been popping up all over my yard, along with some really tall dandelion stems, so I was scared they were weeds, but before I let my husband mow them down, I decided to do a search to find out exactly what they are. So . . . now I know they are weeds and he will probably mow them down and spray them, but I was hoping for some wonderful groundcover. Thanks for the education.