Weeds Imitating Flowers

Question

I read somewhere, a long time ago, that some weeds grow next to the plants that they look like as a form of protection. A friend is doubting this, and I can’t remember where I read about it, so I can’t prove it to her. Can you give me any info on this?

Answer 1

Yes, this is true. Vavilovian mimicry (also crop mimicry or weed mimicry) is just another fancy term for a defense mechanism in plants.