I published an article about a small tree that I photographed from the Manhattan Bridge in August 2020. That tree grew from a tiny patch atop a Chinatown tenement building, and stood bravely against the backdrop of the setting afternoon sun. I took that photograph with my BlackBerry Classic camera in August 2018. That was not the only Manhattan Bridge plant photo that I took with my BlackBerry Classic in August 2018. Behold, below, an August 2017 photo taken of a plant growing on the Manhattan Bridge itself:

A small plant growing a tiny crease on the Manhattan Bridge - photographed by Nicholas A. Ferrell.
My photo was edited for publication by Victor V. Gurbo. It came out quite well – I dare say one of the sharper photos from my trusty BlackBerry Classic camera.

Some plants are quite resourceful. This bit of green grew from a shady spot toward the Brooklyn-side of the Manhattan Bridge pedestrian walkway. It had not want of soil nor desire for sun, it grew quite happily.

I tried a couple of reverse image searches to identify the Manhattan Bridge weed, but I did not come away with a conclusive answer. It looks somewhat similar to some wild grapevines, but I somehow doubt that the weed was a wild grapevine.

Whatever the plant was, it was an enduring testament to the resourcefulness of windswept weeds in New York City. No matter how uninviting a tiny patch or speck of soil may be, there will always be a plant to invite itself and make itself at home, so long as the winds blow the right way.