Evening Primrose
You may not think that something with such a highfalutin name as Evening Primrose (Oenothera) could be a City Plant. But don’t be fooled, this herbaceous flower is no shrinking […]
Black Locust
The Black Locust (Ceratonia siliqua) received its somewhat erroneous nomenclature from William Strachey, a member of the Third Supply mission to Jamestown. Before encountering this piece of local flora however, the mission’s ship, Sea Venture, wrecked on the coast of Bermuda in 1609
American Pokeweed
While most City Plants originate from elsewhere, American Pokeweed, Phytolacca americana, has the distinction of being from this particular neck of the woods. As such it was widely used by […]
Tree of Heaven
Let’s just be real. The Tree of Heaven, ailanthus altissima, is a badass.
Mullein
In 322 BC Aristotle noted the exceptionally useful employment of mullein (verbascum thapsus) as a piscicide (fish poison) in his Historia Animālium. Gabriel Garcia Marquez also noted this use in Love in the time of Cholera 2307 years later.
Woody Nightshade
If you were to ask the scientific historian and nature writer Neltje Blanchan about Woody Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara), you may have received a poem in return.
Dandelion
Of course such a thing couldn’t stand for long and so Hecate, the goddess of the knowledge of herbs fed the heroic Theseus Taraxacum (dandelion) greens for 30 days before sending him into the monster’s maze.
Mugwort
Artemisia vulgaris tastes good in beer, but that’s not how it got its common name, Mugwort. More of that later. Drinks first.
Princess Tree
Originating in central and western China, the Princess Tree (Paulownia tomentosa), is often unsurprisingly described in both orientalist and misogynistic terms: showy, aggressive, ornamental, persistent, exotic, and invasive. The Princess Tree is my personal hero.
Horseweed
Meanwhile, the goons at Monsanto thought they would counter by spreading more of their toxic agent. But to no avail and there are some reports of Superweeds growing up to three inches a day.
Shaggy Soldier
Like its namesake, the Shaggy Soldier is apt to take up quarters in the homes of other plants, a clear violation of the third amendment if there ever was one.
Virginia Pepperweed
Native to North America, Virginia pepperweed has been used in traditional medicine for over 2,000 years to curb diabetes, expel intestinal worms, ease rheumatic pain, treat poison ivy rash, cure scurvy, and relieve the croup.
City Plants 