So … what is a “weed”?
As I waited in line for my turn at a wild mustard patch, I had plenty of time to ponder the question. The patch was wrapped in a fluttering shawl of butterflies and bumblebees and it seemed rude to interrupt their meals, so I waited … and thought about weeds.
Wild mustard is boringly common and blooms for most of the summer. It’s not especially eye-catching, apart from its tiny, cheerful yellow flowers. It doesn’t really have a scent. And it’s kind of hard to photograph because it’s so insubstantial: narrow stems, sparse foliage, petite blossoms – I did more photo sessions with wild mustard than almost any other flowers in this series, partly because of the challenge and partly because of the availability. In short, it seems to check all the boxes to be considered a “weed”.
And maybe because I spent so much time with it, I started to consider this flower a friend. It’s not flashy, but its comforting commonness and humble reliability as a pollen source for so many insects makes the word “weed” seem mean-spirited, almost a slur. Modest flowers are still flowers, and that includes wild mustard. So there.
Wild Mustard, Sinapis arvensis
Shoot date: July 30, 2019
Possible use as a cut flower: Invite it inside! Wild mustard will brighten up your kitchen for a day or two.
