This week we tackle the philosophical question, "What makes a plant a weed??" It's a lesson in personal preference, lost knowledge, and ecology. Prefer a visual podcast? Each episode is also available on Youtube at Hello From the Van!
SOURCE CITATIONS:
Escape of the invasives: Top six invasive plant species in the United States
April 19, 2013 by Emily Grebenstein, https://www.si.edu/stories/escape-invasives
Invasive Plants:What is an Invasive Plant Species?
https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/invasives/index.shtml
Non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration; and,
Whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. (Executive Order 13112).
"National weeds lists". Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. 14 August 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
"Invasive and Noxious Weeds". USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
US Fish and Wildlife Service, Don't Touch These Plants! By Courtney Celley.
https://www.fws.gov/story/dont-touch-these-plants
Arizona Department of Agriculture, Native Plants and Rules.
https://agriculture.az.gov/plantsproduce/native-plants
"Carnegiea gigantea (Engelm.) Britton & Rose". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
BB Barns, Five Beneficial Weeds to Keep. Copyright 2026.
https://bbbarns.com/five-beneficial-weeds-to-keep/
Protecting and Restorying the Sonoran Desert Ecosystem in Saguaro National Park. By Perry Grissom. Department of the Interior. Published 09/30/2022. https://www.doi.gov/wildlandfire/news/protecting-and-restoring-sonoran-desert-ecosystem-saguaro-national-park#:~:text=The%20Sonoran%20Desert%20ecosystem%20in%20Saguaro%20National,a%20strike%20team%20of%20invasive%20species%20experts
Volunteers band together to tackle worsenting problem at old fish hatchery: 'Starts smal until they explode'. By Jennifer Kodros. Pubished October 18,2025 https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/volunteers-band-together-tackle-worsening-101500933.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9sLmZhY2Vib29rLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAAFpVenJB_GBW3sEp30PUawNhc239d-elG7vBImjqYgdvE54Oja6-hyTjiYBE1M-xIq6bMXciUDQT0jMsL9bWVT0yabY0BAO-jSziZrNIWp66W4c9nwsgRMKJIDJubK6O8SErybO-3lwd_krfNEdXjDNAh5GC-UBqDFclFQsxs8G
Invasive Species Info, US Department of Agriculture-- Forest Service (FS) USDA National Invasive Species Information Center. https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/bipartisan-infrastructure-law-prior-funding#:~:text=are%20integrated%20throughout-,U.%20S.%20Department%20of%20Agriculture%20%E2%80%93%20Forest%20Service%20(FS),shown%20in%20the%20table%20below.&text=*In%20FY23%2C%20$5%2C000%2C000%20was%20allocated,from%20another%20provision%20within%20BIL.
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