Identifying a weed

Forums: Gardening, Plant Identification, Weeds
Email this Topic • Print this Page

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.

Topic Stats
Top Replies
Link to this Topic

Type: Question • Score: 10 • Views: 4,513 • Replies: 34
Topic Closed

No top replies

@plainoldme,

Do they look like this?

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

1 Reply

@plainoldme,

Or this?

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

1 Reply

@Francis,

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

2 Replies

@laughoutlood,

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

0 Replies

@plainoldme,

thistle?

1 Reply

@plainoldme,

Those are no ferns but tansy.

Yes, a picture could help..

0 Replies

@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.

1 Reply

@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.

4 Replies

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.

0 Replies

@Francis,

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

0 Replies

@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

Related Topics

Quick Links

My Account

able2know