First of all I don't know how many of you are familiar with the weed called "Begg a lice" aka "HitchHicker's" You know the funny looking flat seeds that you pick off your clothes after a walk thru the woods? well, does it bloom?? The reason I ask is because I noticed that in the tall grass just over in my neighbor's yard that there was a pretty purple flower, it was a tall spinly weed with lota tiny purple flowers on them. well before I could mention it to my neighbor, the blooms had all fell off of it and when I went to look at it again I saw what appeared to be beggalice! I was wondering if my eyes were playing tricks on me. Anyone know if the stuff blooms??
Mollybee
Weed Question??
Molly - so strange that you should mention this. This evening DH and I went for a walk and there was this bluey purple plant almost like a cornflower - I thought at first it was Cupid's Dart until I got close enough. And further down the stem the flowers had gone already but there was this sticky seed head there, some of the seeds had blown away already. I have no idea what the plant is!! Maybe someone can fill us in here!!
Yes, this plant has TINY orchid-shaped lavendar/pink blooms. It grows all over the lake banks here in Missouri, and is SO pretty to look at, but horrible when all those little seeds stick to your clothes!
Hey KJones, Thank you!! I forgot to say what the purple flower looked like...but you described it to a T! That has to be it then, I am sure of it.
Thanks!
Then my plant is not your plant...lol!! Mine is definitely a fluffy type cornflower!! But I have seen the one you are describing.
Louisa, *Ü* LOL
I am also in Missouri . Down in south central area.Mark Twian forest region.We have a flower sounds alot like what you are talking about.
One question , does (did) your 'Weed' have a smell to it ? Smell like a cross between vanilla an mint ? NOT a 'WEED' , it's a flower ! plant is sticky feeling , has a scent as above.Seed pods open from the flower , they ALSO feel very 'sticky'.
I've forgotten the name now !! Took me TWO YEARS to find out what this plant was !! Believe I have a photo.Write me , I'll find that name and picture.
NOWeedSZ
Far as I know the flower did not have a smell to it. it was a super tiny flower that kinda looked kinda like a tiny bunny's face. I will surely keep my eye on it next year and hopefully I will get a picture of it then.
Molly bee , The plant we have here in TX that I've always known as "beggers lice" has a small, shiny, ferny leaf. The bloom is like a miniature (queen annes lace)(white cluster) They are just awful to imbed in your pets hair.they are about the size of a dill seed.This may not be what you are describing because of color.
Mollybee, a search for "Beggar's Lice" turned up the following botanical names:
Desmodium (several species - here are photos of one species): http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gallery/pictures/desint.htm
Cynoglossum officinale might be it: http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~wsherb/images/Boraginaceae/cynoglossum.html
Torilis nodosa (sounds like tink's plant): http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/mi09/mi09059.jpg
Hackelia virginiana: http://deepcnet.usi.edu/biology/twinswamps/Hackelia_virginiana.htm
Additionally, I can think of two other plants that produce burs:
Bidens (several species) are commonly called Beggar ticks: http://www.ouellette001.com/PapiersPeints/Bidens_beckii.htm
Polygonum cuspidata (Japanese Knotweed) also produce small burs: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/plants/weeds/aqua015.html
Hope these help!
This message was edited Friday, Oct 19th 6:05 PM
My problem is, I didn't get a close look at the green foilage because I was soo amazed at the flower it's self...But none of these link had purple flowers on the pictures...so I guess I will have to wait until next summer to see if I can find it again. I will take a picture for sure this time LOL
Thanks for all your help
Mollybee
Mollybee,
I remember the name of the purple sticky flower !! its called Blue Waxweed !! Of course I can't find that silly picture or the CORRECT name !! I'LL FIND IT YET !! LOL !!
NOWeedSZ
noweedsz, please let me know if you do, b/c it will be a whole year before that stuff sets to blooming again, and it will drive me nuts before then
Tink, that's Daucus carota, an absolutely terrible pest here in central Texas. The leaves look like a carrot top, and the root has a distinct carrot smell. But it actually looks great in a bouquet of wildflowers. If only we culd stop the poor thing from going to seed.
Blue Waxweed - Could it be Cuphea petiolata (synonymous with C. viscosissima): http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/1999/soutflor/species/7/cuphvisc.htm
I started to say "close but no cigar", but aimee you hit my weed, right on the head. thats it! I think we all learned something new today:)
go-vols !!
Thats it !
It is so pretty ! I know it's a pain , but I just Love it !
I actually had some success harvesting some seed this year.NOT EASY !! If anyone else LIKES WEEDS ... I have a few seeds I can share .
Thanks for the link!
NOWeedSZ