Hi,
I've just taken over an allotment, and all looked good until i came across this 'weed'. The site manager was not around when i went last weekend for advice. Another plot that has been vacant for a little while - fairly near mine - is covered in this, so he put some weedkiller on it (ineffective, it would appear). Mine looked OK until i got stuck in to clearing it, and i've found that i have some of it too. Not a lot, but the roots are really vicious. Would go through spuds in no time.
It grows to about 4ft high, grassy looking long leaves. It doesn't grow in a 'clump', but spreads evenly. Stems smooth, hollow (when dead) and round, and it comes up a bit like bamboo - sharp 'spears' from underground.
I've attached 2 pics. The feathery top on the first picture is about 5-6 inches long. The second pic shows a piece of lower stem that was just below ground with a bit of root on the right, showing the start of more 'spikes'. Total size of bit in pic in pic is 5-6 inches. When the spikes are futher down/ more mature, they can be as thick as your little finger. Where the stem goes above ground up to the 'head', its only a quarter of an inch thick at most.
It's been suggested that it may be an ornamental which has been left to run riot, which may well be right. I can't find it anywhere. The roots are a nightmare. Any thoughts on what it is are welcome.
Thanks
Dawn
