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Title: Spiny Vegetables: The Hidden Value of Rural Pests
Introduction:
Rural life, overgrown crops. Wheat, cotton, soybeans, corn, peanuts, abundant and diverse. However, weeds became a thorn in the farmer's side. They grow tenaciously, reproduce rapidly, grab nutrients, and affect photosynthesis. One of the wild grasses called prickly vegetables has many aliases, seven or seven buds, green grass, prickly dog teeth... People avoid it, only dare to look at it from afar, and wear gloves even when touched. However, this seemingly annoying plant hides many values that we do not understand.
In rural crop fields, this plant called prickly vegetable is often seen. The edges of its leaves are like sharp blades, which are intimidating when touched. However, its roots are deep into the soil, and the white rhizome is firm and powerful. This makes it impossible for farmers to eradicate it easily, and there is nothing they can do.
It is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the genus Thistle of the Asteraceae family. Its underground rhizome stretches straight downwards, the aboveground stem grows upright, and the young stem is covered with white filamentous hairs. The single leaf is reborn, the leaf edge is like a serration, and the top of the branch blooms with purple-red flowers. Such plants are almost ubiquitous in China, growing more rampantly on the edges of fields, roadsides, wastelands, and hillsides, especially in the northern countryside.
Farmers may not know that this seemingly nasty prickly vegetable actually contains a lot of untapped value. Let's explore the four great uses of stinging vegetables:
First of all, it can be used as feed for livestock. When the prickly vegetables are tender, they can be cooked and fed to pigs, becoming their favorite grass feed. In the countryside, when digging the soil, it is common to dig up prickly vegetables, and the pigs are given delicious rations.
Secondly, the young leaves of the prickly vegetable are also a delicacy during the wild vegetable season. Whether stir-fried, boiled, cold or hotpot, it can show different flavors and become a delicacy on the farmer's table.
In addition, the medicinal value of prickly vegetables cannot be ignored. Although people hate it, it has a significant medicinal effect, can cool blood to stop bleeding, remove stasis and reduce swelling, used for various bleeding symptoms, and become a good first aid for outdoor work.
Finally, it also has economic value. People who understand the value of prickly vegetables will pick it and sell it as medicinal herbs to earn a part of the income. It is understood that the price of dry products is quite considerable in the market, which brings real economic benefits to farmers.
Summary:
This seemingly annoying rural pest is actually rich in value. In addition to being feed for livestock, it can also be eaten as a wild vegetable and has significant medicinal and economic value. Therefore, in our rural life, it may be time to revisit this forgotten plant and explore more possible uses. Do you have such plants in your hometown? Do you understand its value and role? Welcome to share your views and experiences.
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