Do wildflowers always grow on an unmarked grave site?

Question

Just curious, I was wondering if it was just an old saying or something factual, I don''t recall seeing it on Myth Busters.

Maybe some of you aren't old enough to have heard of the saying that "Wildflowers will often grow on an 'unmarked grave' before they grow anywhere else".
Maybe there are some of you that aren't versed in forensec lore, but just the textbook stuff you only get school. - Its a saying among old timers.

Answer 1

There used to be a popular myth that wildflowers would grow on the grave of one who was innocent, but executed for a crime that they did not commit.
There was a companion myth that said that no grass would grow on the grave of a murderer.
There was even a man who was hanged for a crime that he said he did not commit, and he said that no grass would grow on his grave because he was innocent, and sure enough no grass grew on his grave!
BTW - I have no idea if these stories are true. I hope this was what you were asking about.

Answer 2

I'm just imagining how Mythbusters would test this. First, kill and bury a person....

I suspect that wildflowers grow wherever they can. Except for the outside chance that a decaying body would add nutrients to the soil, I doubt that the presence or absence of a grave makes any difference.

Answer 3

I suspect more weeds than wildflowers. But cemetaries are mown on a regular basis & if the stone is level with the ground, nothing will grow there.

Otherwise I wouln't know. My mother visits my father's grave a couple of times a month to "clean it up" and to water the plants.

Answer 4

Wildflowers grow wherever the wind blows their seeds

Answer 5

Wildflowers are just that, wild. They grow where they can. Also just wandering what this has to do with Law Enforcement??