how weeds manage to grow so well when nobody plants them and the environment isn’t generally conducive to growth (like in concrete cracks)
In: Biology
That’s basically the definition of a weed.
Weeds aren’t a specific type of plant, it’s a description for any plants that grow where they are “not supposed to”, typically in a way such that it’s hard to stop them from growing. They spread easily and are hard to fully kill off.
We have plants that people like, such as lemon balm and mint, for example, are tasty herbs…that are also weeds. They grow like CRAZY and will dominate a plot of not pruned back often.
So basically weeds are just “plants that are good at spreading to and growing in lots of places and hard to get rid of”. And as such… they’re plants that are good at growing in lots of places.
A weed doesn’t have a specific definition it is just a plant growing where it wasn’t intended, concrete crack are generally wet and not overshadowed by other plants so makes a reasonable place to grow.
Different living things adapted (changed) over time to survive. Plants have to complete with each other for resources. Some adapted to grow in deserts so they don’t have to compete with other water-loving plants on more fertile soil. Similarly, many “weeds” are low-maintenance. Unlike more needy plants who need perfect soil conditions, water and sunlight, weeds can survive in unpleasant conditions (low water, bad soil, hot weather, etc.).
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