Weeds may be a pollinator's better friend than we think

Since the end of the Second World War, factors such as the intensification of agriculture and urbanization have reduced the abundance of wildflowers in Britain. In fact, the last 90 years have seen the loss of over 97% of the UK's wildflower meadows.

Simply planting more wildflowers seems an obvious solution, albeit difficult on a large scale. There is only one problem. Many common British wildflowers are undervalued and even hated by the public, who regard them as weeds.

These flowers, which include many species, from dandelion and clover to bramble and ivy, provide copious amounts of pollen and nectar for bees and other insects. But some people consider dandelions a nuisance in their gardens. Others dislike brambles because of their thorns and vigorous growth. And even plants like ivy, with inconspicuous flowers, are mistakenly considered useless for bees.

A greater appreciation of wildflowers like these will not only help improve the food supply for bees and other insects that visit the flowers; it will also help reconnect people with plant diversity and nature. So what will it take for people to accept and enjoy more wildflowers in their lawns, parks, roadsides and fields?

A clear answer is education. In Britain, knowledge about plants seems to be lacking. A phenomenon called "plant blindness" - an inability to notice or appreciate plants, distinguish between species, or recognize their importance - may be one reason for negative public attitudes towards native plants. p>

In 2005, a study of British A-level students found that 86% of them could name only three or fewer common wildflowers. And in 2017, just 3.5% of UK participants in a poll commissioned by UK conservation charity Plantlife were able to correctly name a red clover. These numbers show the disconnect between humans and plants.

That's probably not a good thing. Bees and other flower-visiting insects are highly dependent on flowers, and most life on Earth depends directly or indirectly on plants. Although underappreciated, common native wildflowers are an important part of it.

Abundant dandelions along the side of the road.

Francois Ratnieks

Sources of pollen

Ivy is a common vine that grows on walls, tree trunks and hedges all over Britain...