One man's noxious weed...

...is another's fragrant exotic planting.
For much of my life, either by own decision or by order of my parents and others, I have sought to destroy the evil vine, honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum).  Without exaggeration, I know that I have untangled and yanked more than a ton of this stuff in my 61 years.

Not only does it invade everything, and grow like a weed (!), it can even strangle other plants in its enthusiasm.

Imagine my surprise to learn that here in altitudinous, cold Huancayo, where it rarely freezes but threatens all the time, this herbivorous bane of my existence is not only encouraged, but is sold in nurseries!!  It has wisely disguised itself with an intoxicating aroma, and by adopting the soothing and disingenuous name, "madre de la selva," or "mother of the jungle."  It has done this in order to be taken in and nurtured, before leaping upon and strangling the region.

We hope that in your part of the world, weeds are understood for what they are.

Dave & Paula