Vegetable, Flower and Weed Question

[Lumpy]

Sorry if this is in the wrong place but I could'nt work out where to put it and the Vine does not have a numpty question section.
So
Are weeds a specific classification within the plant family even though there are many that can be eaten such as chickweed, dandelion and nettle?
What kind of plant consitutes being called a weed? - it can't just be based on it's invasiveness because borage, comfrey and jerusalem artichokes spread and are difficult to get rid of.
Who decided what was and was not a weed?

[Greenleaves]

A weed is:


A wild plant growing where it is not wanted and in competition with cultivated plants

[Lumpy]

Struth - its that simple derrrrr!

[mothhawk]

You decide for yourself.
A weed is simply a plant growing where it is not wanted and in competition with cultivated plants that you do want.
For instance, if you absolutely adored thistles, and cultivated a bed full of them, then if a lupin grew among them and you hated lupins, it would be a weed and you would pull it up.

I love foxgloves and let them self-seed everywhere, but I know some folk who would pull out every seedling as a weed. It's personal choice.

edit - you beat me to it GL

[Lumpy]

So weeds only exist in the eye of the beholder!
In which case I am proud to announce that I have no weeds in my garden at all. I do however have a stunning collection of indiginious plants that make friends with all the others.

[Scarlet]

I'd like to think like that Lumpy but ground elder really takes over, horrible stuff that is hell to get out if left to spread

[Kristen]

A weed is:


A wild plant growing where it is not wanted and in competition with cultivated plants

I have a simpler definition

"A weed is a plant in the wrong place" ...

[planetologist]

I think the definition of Patrick Whitefield in The Earth care manual makes a lot of sense. Because permaculture encourages polycultures there is no wrong place, so his definition of weeds is plants in the wrong quantity.

[Two_Sheds]

The natural gardener can find a use for most weeds

Except I'm unable to find the silver lining in cinquefoil

[Lumpy]

TS = I found this if it helps -

Properties Cinquefoil is edible and medicinal, young shoots and leaves are edible in salad or cooked as a pot herb. The plant contains large amounts of tannins making it very astringent. A medicinal infusion made from the root is used in alternative medicine as an astringent, antiseptic, and tonic, used as a mouthwash for "thrash" and taken for dysentery and diarrhoea.

[Two_Sheds]

I just need your address, so I can send them all to you

[Lumpy]

If my garden was bigger I would take them but...