The recent rains are really making this weed thrive. And, please, tell me this is a weed, I detest it. The only plus is that it's easy to remove if you don't let it grow taller than 2-3". Did I say I loathe this plant???
Please Identify
another view. Notice the little clusters growing along the stem, flowers maybe?
it grows thru everything
Yes, it is a weed, I think it is one of the Nettles.
I immediately googled nettled and I think I've found it: false nettle aka bohemeria cylindrica. It says it thrives on moist areas and the recent rains here surely have it growing everywhere.
thanks josephine, I thought it would be much harder to identify. I knew it wasn't a stinging nettle, but suspected it was in that family.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.muhlenberg.edu/cultural/graver/Collections/WetlandPlants/FalseNettleFlower.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.muhlenberg.edu/cultural/graver/Collections/WetlandPlants/FacultativeHm.htm&h=1120&w=840&sz=150&hl=en&start=66&um=1&tbnid=LJsdg0vicUUIvM:&tbnh=150&tbnw=113&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dnettle%26start%3D60%26ndsp%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN
Glad you found it, of course you know all plants have a purpose, although it may not be the one we are looking for.
OK, now I feel like a louse 'cause I dislike this plant (to put it mildly), lol.
Vossner, I think the seed for this may be from bird seed. I put out sacks of thistle seed for the finches and now I have this stuff EVERYWHERE. Luckily, it pulls up pretty easily. I never had it before, so I'm assuming that's where it came from. I couldn't have this much of it from just accidential causes.
Crow, yep, that sounds like a plausible explanation. But beware, plant is easy to pull when very small, but if taller that 6" it frequently breaks at the base, leaving enough root to start growing all over again.
This message was edited May 29, 2007 2:24 PM
Neri, don't feel bad because you don't like the plant, because even though it may have a purpose, we can't let every plant grow in our space.
I refuse to let Ragweed and Poison Ivy grow in my yard.
Josephine.
well, as much as I don't like this plant, I did a little more research and it is listed as a butterfly host plant. Lookie here, scroll down to the chart. Maybe that's why I have so many beautiful butterflies in my garden.
But I still don't like it!!!
http://butterflybushes.com/butterfly_host_plants.htm
Voss....I have that popping up all over too! And if I dont pull it out from the root when it's small, when it grows back the root is too deep and strong for me to pull it up. I have to dig it up.
Hey, the pretty Red Admiral likes them as a host too, so leave a patch. lol
Yes, Ma'am! Would you like me to send some your way?
no, let ME be the generous one....
Awww, you guys are so generous.....let me get back to you...... heehee
Come on, Vossner, let's throw 'em all at her!
I'm not too worried...ya'll probably throw like girls and I'm wayyyy north! lol
http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubcd/C867-5.htm
Click on the link above and I think you will find your answer - I also have this in my garden and it sounds like a tough one to deal with...!
I have to admit a little stupidity here, I pulled up several of these 'weeds' and let a few grow. The leaves really resemble the South African Foxglove seeds I had planted. Once I let one flower, I knew what I had. Identifying the good and the bad is a pain in the you know what for me so, I let them grow until I see more definition in the leaf. The foxglove is rounder and softer. The problem is letting the weed flower before I can identify what I have. Maybe give up on the foxgloves? Gasp! I can't do it. Guess I'm dealing with the weeds until I get smarter.