Plant Identification: SOLVED: Yeah or Nay? What is this plant, please?

Forum: Plant Identification Replies: 14, Views: 341 Print -

Author Content a2zmom Randolph, NJ May 3, 2008 1:58 AM Post #4899802 I found this growing in one of my beds. Is it a keeper or a weed? Thanks for any help. I've posted a new picture below, now that the plant is larger. I'm not sure about the sow thistle ID, since I didn't see any sap. This message was edited May 5, 2008 10:33 PM Click the image for an enlarged view. Nedhudson1 Thorne Bay, AK (Zone 6b) May 3, 2008 3:38 PM Post #4901839 The leaf looks slightly daisy like.Might have to wait for flowers to tell. Tallulah41 Calgary, AB (Zone 3a) May 3, 2008 7:08 PM Post #4902492 It's a weed - just like several I pulled from my garden today. It's called Sow Thistle altagardener Calgary, AB (Zone 3b) May 3, 2008 9:37 PM Post #4903044 Well, it doesn't seem to resemble what we call sow thistle here (Sonchus spp.), but you could test it by breaking off a leaf and looking for white sap along the broken edges. Tallulah41 Calgary, AB (Zone 3a) May 4, 2008 12:12 PM Post #4904996 This is the Sonchus version of Sowthistle. There are others, dissimilar, and that's why some people don't recognize it. Thanks for mentioning the milky substance, AltaGardener! I forgot to say that lol Here's what Wikipedia says: "Sow thistle (less commonly hare thistle or hare lettuce) is the common name for a number of related annual herbs in the Genus Sonchus, the ancient Greek name for these plants. All are characterized by soft, somewhat irregularly lobed leaves that clasp the stem and, at least initially, form a basal rosette. The stem contains a milky sap. Flower heads are yellow and range in size from half to one inch in diameter; the florets are all of ray type." The big thing is the basal rosete - I recognized your weed right off for that, a2zmom. Here's a pic, too. Looks rather like a dandelion, eh? Hope this helps, Susan Click the image for an enlarged view. a2zmom Randolph, NJ May 5, 2008 10:31 PM Post #4912314 I did break off a leaf, but didn't see any milky sap. It is growing rapidly though, which makes me suspicious. I've included a new picture. Click the image for an enlarged view. altagardener Calgary, AB (Zone 3b) May 5, 2008 10:48 PM Post #4912394 Yup, it's a weed alright, but I'm having trouble deciding if it's stinkweed, Thlapsi arvense, or shepherd's-purse, Capsella bursa-pastoris... I'm thinking the former. Anyone else? tcs1366 Itasca, IL (Zone 5a) May 6, 2008 9:51 AM Post #4913740 I dont know what it is... but I am constantly pulling it out. I find that in most cases... if you try to yank it out, and it fights back... it's a weed. Tallulah41 Calgary, AB (Zone 3a) May 8, 2008 11:08 PM Post #4926996 My dad used to say "if the stems are reddish, it's a weed"... altagardener Calgary, AB (Zone 3b) May 8, 2008 11:23 PM Post #4927076 Well, that's interesting, but I sure wouldn't rely on it for weeding my garden, LOL! If you wait until the plant in question flowers (which would be soon), then allow it to set seed, the seed shape would easily distinguish shepherd's purse (triangular seeds) from stinkweed (rounded oval, winged seeds). Don't let it actually drop seeds though. Tallulah41 Calgary, AB (Zone 3a) May 8, 2008 11:32 PM Post #4927113 Yeah - put a plastic baggy over it to get the seeds, so they don't fly all over the place... I expect the flowers will look similar to dandelions... with more delicate petals, but still yellow. I'd be interested in seeing the flowering plant. altagardener Calgary, AB (Zone 3b) May 8, 2008 11:41 PM Post #4927145 The flowers are visible on the last photo posted - they are small, white and 4-petaled, hence the possibility of shepherd's purse or stinkweed... As the flower stalk opens and extends, it will likely form a raceme with the flowers on short stalks extending off at right angles... dylancgc Mount Vernon, MO (Zone 6b) May 9, 2008 10:04 AM Post #4928276 Weed Tallulah41 Calgary, AB (Zone 3a) May 9, 2008 11:00 PM Post #4931277 Altagardener, and ddylancgc - ur right, it's a weed alright I vote for stinkweed! trillium612 (Zone 4b) May 10, 2008 8:40 AM Post #4932202 It looks like what I call field pennycress. Pretty seedpods for dried arrangements, but can be terribly invasive. IIRC it is Thlapsi

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