We'd like to know

What is it about weeds that makes them such tough, grow anywhere plants? Despite it being so dry recently, weeds continue to grow and thrive. 

Although one definition of a weed is a plant growing in the wrong place, weeds seem to have little value to ourselves or even bees and other helpful insects. But what if they could be adapted or crossed with crops to give them resistance to drought? I have no understanding of plants but I am sure that work must have been done in the past to establish whether they could be used. 

One weed that is used is the dandelion, that deep rooted terror. Though I couuldn't tolerate it myself different parts of this weed is used and consumed by some. In its own way it is an attractive plant but does tend to grow in the wrong place so perhaps it really does qualify for the original definition of a weed.