Not a sweet pea, so what is it?

[stargazer]

Hello

We've had another anomolous batch of plants through in the greenhouse, which this time where supposed to be sweetpeas, but obviously aren't.

We didn't get any sweet peas through this year, only these two fellas, which look to be like some sort of meadow/wild flower?





Thanks

[stargazer]

[Bugloss2009]

looks like Fat Hen

[ipt8]

Guess the mice got the sweet peas then?

[Deb P]

It's fat he, a weed commonly found in manure. I spent most of yesterday pulling and hoeing seedlings of the blooming stuff on my plots..... ;D You have looked after it nicely though, now chuck it before it seeds everywhere!

[Digeroo]

Another vote for Fat Hen here.  This is not a wild flower it was originally grown for food until spinach arrived on the scene. 

Do ensure the seeds do not germinate, they can resist the heat of the compost heap and survive being digested which is why are come free with manure.  ;D  And I do believe they have 150% germination rate. ;D   ;D  The the seeds are viable for years and years.    I think they must be light sensitive so do not germinate until brought to the surface.

If you would like another one I think I have about 2 millions to spare. ;D   Dug in early enough they are good as green manure or mulching.   Left too long they are the very devil to pull up. 

Actually edible but not very tasty as far as I am concerned.   But passable lightly steamed with lots of butter and pepper.

I managed to plant one out in a row of brassicas but so far managed not to pot one up in a flower pot and nurture it in the greenhouse.  I am sorry but the flowers do not get any more spectacular than you have already.  Preume they came in with the compost.

[Digeroo]

And don't think of drowing it the seeds can survive in water as well.

[saddad]

Yep... Fat Hen, related to other chenopodiums like Good King Henry... includes a "natural" steroid... hence "Fat Hen" don't eat it if you are going to compete in the Olympics...  ;D