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I spent over an hour popping dandelions out of the south side of the yard because it still shows some hope of not being overrun. While using a standard issue dandelion popper (rather than the de-luxe model), I had plenty of time to contemplate the irascible flower. Many consider it to be a weed, some can ignore it, some even like it. Though I have eaten its leaves in salads, and get some enjoyment popping the flowers or blowing the seed pods, I’m working to reduce the number in our yard. Mostly because there is so much of it. But I started to think about why its such a hated plant and came up with a truly absurd explanation – dandelions are a threat to human male sexuality. These plants flaunt their indiscretions with unnamed and uncounted other pollinators, and their fecundity leaves a yellow score card on the lawn. Then you go to remove them by hand and you’re taunted by their well-developed root system. Not only have they developed into unchecked casanovas, but they seem to foil any attempt to chastise them. Their continued success is just a mark of our failure. Truly, I think I may be on to something. Or maybe its just because I watched The Ladies Man last night. |
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4 thoughts on “Dandelions & Male Sexuality”
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That’s hilarious….and probably true.
It’s funny to see you post that, I’ve been reading snippets of this book called ‘Second Nature’ while I commute on the metro and I was reading the chapters on roses and weeds today and he makes similar comments. A lot of people look at flowers and think of sex. Apparently a lot of names for antique roses are sexual in ‘nature’…one translates ‘Cuisse de Nymphe’ translates to the thigh of an aroused nymph. Interesting, ya? Emerson said “Nature always wears the colors of the spirit”
As far as weeds and sexuality go…I think you’re on your own…Emerson also said a weed is just a plant in the wrong place. so perhaps there’s confusion?? But the most interesting thing about weeds like dandeliions is that they only survive in civilized areas. You never see a dandelion in the forest…
Ah what a nice break from studying, thank you for always having something interesting to share with us Andy :)
Au Contraire – Dandelions are everywhere. They’re all over logging roads, trailheads, national parks, etc. They came from Europe and didn’t have any natural check here so they’ve really spread.
I should clarify some. I was speaking of sex on at the species level, though I did make some endowment jokes. Some of those dandelions had “become established” if you know what I man.
Although Emerson is probably on when he speaks about the “wrong place”, but that’s such a washy answer. That’s basically what the definition of a weed is, isn’t it? I guess they’re unwanted as well, but I think of invasive and noxious species more as weeds. Bindweed (morning glory), Knotweed (Mexican Bamboo), Dandelion (uh, dandelion), and such are both out of place, and flourish to the cost of the other native plants. So yes, they’re in the wrong place and they make it increasingly difficult for the plants that are supposed to be there be there.
okay, modification to previous statement. Read ‘civilized areas’ as ‘human made’ or as interacted with by humans. I suppose that makes more sense anyway…