My DH wants to mow down everything he doesn't recognize in our backyard. We recently fenced the area and things that the deer once kept browsed are springing up all over the place. Before my husband gets out the weed whacker, does anyone know what these guys are? On one picture, there are two items needing identification. Once is just starting to bloom. Thanks,
Annie
Weeds. Pull the blooming weeds out when the ground is soft, as they have deepish roots.
Or weed wack! I like that idea better, think that's what we'll do.
Since we have a couple of acres covered in this stuff, pulling is out of the question. And my DH loves the chance to fire up a loud machine whenever possible... Thanks,
Annie
I leave the purple blooming one each year, does not bother anything and gives my plants roots same shade while they grwo back.
Get rid of the sticky one now before it blooms.
The taller plant is Bedstraw;
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=GAAP2
and the other one is called Henbit and makes pretty blooms
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/53157
Josephine.
I have always known the tall one in the first photo as Cleavers. It is nasty and will cling to everything and take over if not kept under control.
Oddly, Cleavers was used as a remedy for vitamin C deficiency and to treat urinary and skin problems. The seeds (ugh!!) can be roasted for a coffee like drink and the dried plant is used as a tea substitute in parts of the world. It fascinates me that most plants on Gods' green earth have a purpose. Still can't say I like this one though...
Pod, Cleavers is another popular name for it, they also used it fry to fill mattresses so therefore the name.
Yes, I'm sorry ~ I meant to say I "also" knew this plant as Cleavers. I find it interesting that different parts of the state and country have different common names for the same plants.
Also interesting how the nicknames come about. For example, Bedstraw for its' common use, Cleavers for its' ability to stick fast to one or to cleave. This is also known as Catchweed or Goose Grass. I wonder if geese will eat it. I may need to add a goose if they will. LOL
I don't know about geese, but our dog loves to eat it! We didn't know the name so we called it stickyweed!
Necia
Very interesting.
Necia ~ you want to send your dog for a visit? LOL
I have a Great Dane, one Australian Shepherd and a chichuahua and they haven't made a dent in the population! So, I guess I am now on a pulling mission. Maybe after the rains tomorrow it will come up even easier! I have planted about 10 roses this last week so my back is aching from digging in all of this rock so that is just the thing it needs, a weed pulling marathon!
Always pull weeds on the wet side and dig on the dry side. Amazing how a little moisture will make it easier.
edited to add ~ do catch them before they go to seed.
This message was edited Feb 11, 2008 11:05 PM
Earthtiller I think you could make a lot of money if you could clone your dog.lol
LOL! Well, I don't know about that. He eats his own poo, too! He is pretty gross sometimes!
Necia
What a useful guy ! LOL
Well yes, I guess he could be considered useful. But that's a bit extreme.:) I guess he's a outside dog?
Oh, we have tried to bring him inside, but he just refuses to bathe!
I guess he won't brush his teeth either.lol
Before you kill the henbit (and I've always left it alone; it doesn't seem to do any harm or stay around long here) look very very closely at it. The bloom is incredibly pretty.
Yes, I've noticed that too. I'm trying to decide whether to leave it or not. It does cover the ground nicely. I'm wondering also though if it enriches the soil. Is it one of those nitrogen fixing plants? If it is it's definitely staying in my yard.:)
Mary Lee, the Henbit is of the Salvia Family: Lamiaceae, and unfortunately as far as I know those plants do not have nitrogen fixing properties, however they or any green plant can enrich your soil if you till them into the soil while they are green, what is referred to as green manure.
But I don't think that is what you intended, they are pretty and they are annuals so they don,t last long, so I guess it is a matter if choice, and they don,t hurt anything if they are not crowding something else out.
I also let some of the henbit stick around and it's usually gone by May. There also another little weed like henbit that has very tiny blue flowers with 3-4 petals. Anyone know what that is?
Josephine, hi. I didn't know it was in the salvia family. Does it attract hummers? I think I'll let it stay and just concentrate on pulling out the Burmuda grass. I've almost decided to leave nutgrass too. It's impossible to get rid of and digging it up disturbs other things.
T.J. your little flower could be Houstonia parviflora, Greenman's Bluet, check it and see. There are mane bluets, so it might not be this one.
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=HOPA3
Josephine.
That's not it, Josephine. I'll try to get some pics today when I get home to show you. Thanks!
Other plants that might be flowering now and having tiny bluish flowers are the speedwells. A common one is Corn Speedwell, small, low-lying plants with very tiny flowers, 4 petals. Persian Speedwell is prettier, larger flowers (1/4 inch or so) and needs a moister habitat than the other one.
Corn Speedwell:
http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/corn_speedwell.htm
Persian Speedwell:
http://kaweahoaks.com/html/speedwell.html
I’ve got some just starting to bloom lately that looks like the Corn Speedwell.
Hey, TJ, I have those too. They look just like henbit, except they're blue, and both the leaves and flowers are a little smaller than the larger henbits. I'd also like to know what they are.
Anyone know about composting chickweed? I pull up tons every year, and it would help heat up my on-the-cold-side compost pile. But I'm concerned that the seeds wouldn't get hot enough to die.
The sticky one 'cleavers' needs to come out first for sure, you don't want it to spread! I don't mind the Henbit but it will definately overtake a bed too. But like some said it has a pretty flower and is gone before summer.
Patti, I see no problem with composting chickweed, bury it in the center of the pile it you are concerned, but it should be fine.
Here it is. I think you're right Linda it's some sort of speedwell. I took this pic this morning so the flower was not opened yet.
Yes, it sure looks like it T.J.
I have always called the sticky one...witches broom..not sure why.
and the other one, chickweed.
Beauty and the Weeds. Too bad he doesn't graze.
You sure have a lot of Henbit, but it looks very pretty, the canine is very pretty too.
I suppose that is your baby, right?
Oh yea frostwood, he's my little companion and goes everywhere I go. He is truly darling. As for the Henbit, it's taking over, I pretend it's bluebonnets.
Antiqued, what is your dog's name? He looks almost like a twin to my little Lhasa Rosella.
Ok, here's one I would like to identify. It's foliage grows out from the middle and resembles a fern and each day it has 2 or 3 flowers that are about 1/4" in diameter.
It could be this one, Texas Gerenaium.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/102666/
