Definition of "rank"

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Decumbent Cincinnati, OH(Zone 6b) Apr 07, 2006

Discussion in another thread has brought up this question which has nagged me for a while. Horticulturally, how would one define "rank," as in "that plant is a rank grower." My own definition has developed over time from what I imagine others are meaning for it to say, but I have never seen an official definition. For the record, I tend to think of rank as meaning: weedy and without much form, typical of many fast-growing plants. Rank plants in my book would be boxelders, lonicera maackii, and forsythia.

Scott

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growin Beautiful, BC(Zone 8b) Apr 07, 2006

If a person goes "rank", they are out of control. In my eyes English Ivy is a rank grower, out of control, goin' wherever it wants, as it wants with no limits. I tend to think there is little direction, form or control. I think of "rank" as a single plant as opposed to weedy or invasive that may root itself as it goes along.

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donn Great South Bay, Lon, NY(Zone 7a) Apr 07, 2006

rank (rngk)
adj. rank·er, rank·est

1. Growing profusely or with excessive vigor: rank vegetation in the jungle.
2. Yielding a profuse, often excessive crop; highly fertile: rank earth.

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Kevin_5 Elburn, IL(Zone 5a) Apr 07, 2006

To steal a famous quote....."I shall not today attempt further to define 'rank' ...But I know it when I see it".

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Resin Northumberland, United Kingdom(Zone 9a) Apr 07, 2006

Also rank odour, a nasty smell. A good example of a rank-smelling plant is Conium maculatum.

And of course, the Rank and File in the police force, or just the Rank . . .

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Equilibrium Apr 07, 2006

Rank to me can be anything from Lily of the Valley to Burning Bushes but it can also be foul smelling so I'd agree with just about everything everyone wrote above.

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PrairieGirlZ5 Thornton, IL Apr 07, 2006

Re: odour. I have only heard of it being applied to my husband's socks. That is THE definition.

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