John Dwyer

Weeds, Plants and People John Dwyer

What is the perplexing category of plants that we call 'weeds? Why do some people spend so much effort trying to eradicate plants in certain circumstances, while other people nurture those very same species for food, medicine, or simple enjoyment of their beauty? Could there be a better way for us to live alongside the many wild plants we encounter in our gardens, farms and landscapes, than to wage war on them? John Dwyer wants to change the way we care for our environment, how we connect with nature, and what we think and do about weeds. Weeds, Plants and People traces the fascinating history of many common plants that we now treat as weeds. From the thistles and thorns that appear in the Bible, to the seeds eaten by Stone Age people, and the grasses and flowers brought to Australia by European settlers, the story of the relationship between people and weeds is a complex and intriguing one. Here it is told in a lively and engaging way for readers with or without botanical knowledge. Anybody interested in gardening, agriculture, the natural environment, medicinal herbs or cooking will glean a great deal from John Dwyer's account of some of the most ancient plants known to humankind.