Identifying a weed

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It grows tall and narrow with a single stem which is purplish in color and covered with small, upright hairlike barbs. The leaves are dark green and long. They are serrated and tapering.

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@plainoldme,

Do they look like this?

http://www.vet.purdue.edu/toxic/plant12.jpg

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@plainoldme,

Or this?

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS9I5qYVwtGbCGV8uPn6LtV50B2X3Vf-2jWhNKCDZcYUnO0cNeFbg

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@Francis,

No, they're not ferns. They look more like grasses with leaves. I have to learn how to use my digital camera.

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@laughoutlood,

The leaves are right and so is the upright posture but I do not think this plant flowers. That's close.

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@plainoldme,

thistle?

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@plainoldme,

Those are no ferns but tansy.

Yes, a picture could help..

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@plainoldme,

More like this?

http://www.hancockseed.com/myfiles/image/Big%20Blue%20Stem%20Native%20Grass.jpg

1 Reply

@Francis,

No.

1 Reply

@plainoldme,

Maybe marijuana, then..

http://www.drugs-forum.com/growfaq/97_files/nietz190.jpg

1 Reply

@JPB,

No, but thanks.

This is one of two tall similar plants in my yard. I knew I was allergic to one of them but I couldn't tell which. It has to be the little spines on the stems. I wore a tee shirt yesterday and starting pulling them and immediately broke out. I went in and washed my arms, but the rash is still traceable.

I just want a name for this thing. It is pouring here now. I should stop listening to Wait! Wait! don't Tell Me and read the directions for my digital camera so I can go out when it stops raining.

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@plainoldme,

Since we don't have a photo to go by and only a very general description and no location info, you'll have to do the leg work.

Here are some sites to get you started:

http://www.weedtwister.com/weed_identification.htm

http://weeds.cropsci.illinois.edu/weedid.htm

http://www.ppws.vt.edu/weedindex.htm

http://www.weedalert.com/

If those sites don't help, cut off a good sample of the leaves, put it in a plastic bag, and take it to a local nursery or neighbor that seems to have a lot of gardening knowledge.

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http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bBqysXGhPys/TG1xzAe94dI/AAAAAAAACGQ/cNRnfWpqpZI/s1600/2.jpg

http://www.ecosensorium.org/2010/08/kantakari-prickly-medicinal-weed.html

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bBqysXGhPys/TG1xO2OA0OI/AAAAAAAACGI/HMXo0EW7gJw/s1600/Solanum+virginianum1.JPG

0 Replies

http://www.ecosensorium.org/2010/08/kantakari-prickly-medicinal-weed.html
Wow, sorry, didn't realize it was that big.

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@Francis,

The leaves aren't arranged in clusters or umbrels but come directly off the stems. Very Happy

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@Butrflynet,

Thanks! I kept finding this sites with the scientific names of plants! Duh! If I knew the name . . . I wouldn't need the site!

0 Replies

@Butrflynet,

I found one of the plants that is my garden
http://weeds.cropsci.illinois.edu/images/Horseweed/index.htm

but not the one I am allergic to. At least I have a name for one.

0 Replies

@Butrflynet,

I found a second one

http://weeds.cropsci.illinois.edu/images/Curly%20dock/index.htm

although it isn't the right one. It's just another weed. This is fun, however. Again, nice to know what I am dealing with.

0 Replies

@Butrflynet,

I have this as well. It confused me because it resembles Japanese knotweed.

You can see that there are many plant pests in my yard.

0 Replies

Ragweed?

1 Reply

Identifying a weed

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