Anybody got a clue what this is?

I have a couple of these in my garden. I have no clue what they are. I thought they were sunflowers. I know I planted some odd mixes this spring, that didn't come up and I planted over them. Since they are the only two and they are in a row, I assume they are something I planted and forgot rather than a regular weed. (Weeds, I can identify....they are all over the garden in great numbers)

The plants are about six or seven feet tall and are developing some kind of blossoms or seed heads. Could they be some kind of amaranthus? I grew that once and I think the leaves may be similar. The have a stem much like a sunflower and branch out about four feet up. Any guesses?

Lord I miss my mind. I can't remember where I plant stuff and my dog loves to pull up labels. I used to measure my memory in years, now it's feet. Six foot to be exact. That's the distance between the room I'm going in to and the one I just left, but can't remember why.

Hi jylgaskin. I haven't a clue on what the plant is, but I had to let you know that you are not alone on the memory issue. I just keep telling myself that god has a plan and maybe he's just keeping us from doing too much! LOL

Mary Ellen

My best guess is some type of amaranthus. Wait to see if they set some type of seed. I've never seen any weed that looks like that here in the Midwest.

It looks kind of like amaranthus to me too. It also looks like you will have lots of seed.

Could it have come in with bird seed? Maybe my memory isn't as bad as I thought.

Being something sprouted from bird seed is a real possibility. The fun part would be to see what type of seed it produces. Maybe it would become a natural bird feeder?

It would be nice if they ate something other than my corn. I put a scare crow in a dress (like they would ever think my husband was in the garden, I don't think he knows where it even is). Well, I was out that night checking the chicken pasture (we've had a bob cat visiting) , where I hung christmas lights and mrror chains to flash, the wind moved the scarecrow's apron and it scared the bejesus out of me. I'd forgotten it was there.

I guess it was six foot from my mind.

It sort of looks like a weed I've seen around but not sure of the name.

If you aren't sure what it is or if you want a whole lot of it, I would be removing those seed heads before they hit the ground so you're not covered in them next year. I think there is an identifcation forum here on Daves. Why don't you post the pic there and let us know if anyone knows what it is and if it's friend or foe.

Brenda

I thought there was too, but I could only find one on bugs. I'm pretty sure it's not a weed. Both blants are in a row and there are none like it anywhere else. I'm really thinking birdseed. I know I planted a handful of seed somewhere before and these just may have taken a year to come up. I can't wait to see the seeds on it, then I'll probably know.

Yes, there is a forum called Plant and Tree Identification. I'm not sure how to do a link here but I'll try.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/plantid/all/

Mary Ellen

I posted on the other link, but so far no one has even come close.

Evidentaly it's Marsh Elder (Cyclachaena xanthiifolia) It must have come in with the birdseed I planted as even though they say it grows in Michigan, I have NEVER seen it around here and I spend a lot of time outdoors. I guess it's loike giant ragweed. I'm waiting for blooms.

Does this weed make seeds before blooms? Or, could the seeds be the bloom?

Glad you found out what it was.

Don't know yet. hope it makes seeds, I can think of a place I can use a big tall plant.