We’ve all seen them—the hardy, brave plants growing out of a crack in the sidewalk, in a gap on a cement wall, or out of the foundation of a demolished house. These botanical pioneers are a remind of how resilient plant life can be and how tough some plants are. The species that reclaim these spaces are called ruderal species or ruderal plants, and they have an interesting life and history of their own. So while many of us are inside due to winter weather, now might be a good time to learn more about the plants that will brave any space in order to grow. Let’s dig in and explore the world of ruderal species and how they might appear in our landscaping, lawns, or gardens.
What Are Ruderal Species?
The word “ruderal” comes from the Latin word rudus, meaning detritus, rubble, or maybe just “junk”. By extension, “ruderal species” refer in this context to any species of plant that grows on disturbed ground or other inhospitable places like cracks in the sidewalk or gaps in a rock face. Ruderals often grow on “waste ground”, and as we’ve noted which species grow in a given space tells us a great deal about the nature of the soil in those places. These plants are the first to reclaim disrupted soil, recolonize spaces after fire, flood, or human action have removed existing plants, and they can pave the way for other species to follow.
What Role Do Ruderal Species Play in the Environment?
Since they’re very often the first plants to move in, ruderals can play a number of roles in the spaces they occupy. Many ruderals develop quickly and have fast-growing roots, which means they help stabilize the soil in these spaces and prevent erosion via wind and rain. As pioneer species—the resilient species who are the first to repopulate disturbed or destroyed spaces—ruderals can offer habitat that supports insects, birds, and other wildlife. Many of them—dandelions and clover are prime examples—are much loved by pollinators and can help attract and support them. (NB: dandelion isn’t especially nutritious for bees, but they do love it. If you have dandelions, please consider planting some other pollinator-supporting plants as well.)
Ruderals can also help improve soil quality, with studies showing that some ruderals encourage other species to move in by stabilizing the soil while also supporting phytoremediation. For those unfamiliar, phytoremediation is the process of using living plants to remove contaminants from soil and water. Wild brassica species, some types of hydrangeas, and sunflowers can all fill this role and all are common ruderals. Other ruderals like comfrey may further improve soil health via their deep running roots, which move nutrients from far below the ground to the surface topsoil.
Are There Downsides to Ruderal Plants?
Unfortunately some ruderals do in fact come with a downside. These are the invasive species and noxious weeds that may be the first to recolonize a desolate space but may also go on to crowd out native species and vulnerable plants. Not all ruderals are invasives and most invasives are not ruderals, so when in doubt do a little research and check with with your local garden club, extension office, or other local authority and learn which species are helpful ruderals and which are invasives. As always, there are no bad plants, just plants growing in the wrong space generally do to human actions.
Make Space for Ruderals
Ruderal plants can fill important environmental roles by re-occupying disturbed ground, growing in places where other plants have been removed or destroyed, and restoring soil that has been damaged either by natural disasters or the actions of human. Some of these species are traditionally welcome garden plants, some are often viewed as unwelcome invaders, and some may actually be noxious weeds. As always, we encourage you to make space in your lawns and landscaping for wild plants and natives and support them. Ruderals are friendly plants as well, and by better understanding them and their various roles we can help ensure that the environment around us stays diverse, healthy, and supportive.
Leave a comment