Unidentified Weed! Shock, horror - it's an invasion!

[Philiptipper]

I have a weed!

An unidentified weed has been slowly taking over part of my allotment. I have tried weedkillers and all sorts to get rid of it and it just seems to grow back again stronger the next year. But the main point is, what is it?

People have reluctantly suggested it may be Chickweed or Bittercress, but my weed seems not to match either.

Hopefully somebody will recognise it and be able to tell me what it could be.

Here is my weed in all it's vicious glory:


Can anybody help?

Thanks, Phil

philiptipper@dsl.pipex.com

[Philiptipper]

[Palustris]

Certainly neither of those. What colour is the flower itself? It appears to be white in the pictures.

[Mrs Ava]

Cor, what a curious beastie!  No idea though sorry to say.  :-\

[Gadfium]

My Aunt (lives in Norfolk) had that growing all over her lawn and flowerbeds, last year -  and I'd never noticed it in her garden before. It took me hours and hours, working foot by foot, knee by knee, to shift it... endless bucketloads of the stuff. It's very fleshy and shallow-rooted, so pretty definitely an annual.

I checked the books then, and it wasn't chickweed or bittercress. I did take the search further, and am sure I came up with something that fitted the bill - but I can't remember what on earth that was!

Anyone know?

[Palustris]

It is one of the Euphorbia family, we think, but which Spurge it is depends on whether it is annual or biennial or perennial and on the final flower colour( well bract colour really)

[wardy]

It looks like euphorbia amygdaloides (not sure of spelling) Quite common in Somerset, Mendips apparently.  Common name wood spurge  :)

[SpeedyMango]

close up of (larger) wood spurge... Doesn't look exactly the same but there are similarities

[Georgie]

Well, whatever it is, I think it's beautiful.  Then again, a weed is just a flower in the wrong place. 

G xx

[wardy]

Euphorbia terracina is another possibility

[MagpieDi]

Hi Phil

Could be this maybe....




A wildflower, also called miner's lettuce and winter purslane.

[Gadfium]

MagpieDi - that's it!   Is it edible?  Did I throw bucketloads of salad into the compost bin?

[LesH]

   To Philiptipper
I agree with Magpidi. The plant is CLAYTONIA PERFOLIATA, common name Spring Beauty. It is an annual, usually germinating in the autmn and over wintering as a rosette. Do not compost it, control is by hoeing, but if it gets too bad, use Glyphosate. Good Luck, LesH 

[Philiptipper]

MagpieDi!

That's it! The slimey little bugger...

Thanks very much everyone for all your help - I'm now going to do some investigating to see if I can eat it! That would serve as some sort of sweet justice and make summer salads all the more satisfying!

I've tried hoeing, and Glyphosate but the buggers just keep coming back. I think it's just one of those things to stick at...

Phil.

[wardy]

Well done MD.  That's looks like it!  Glad to hear it's edible which should help keep it under control.  You'll be eating it with every meal ;D

[MagpieDi]

That's it! The slimey little bugger...

Hahaha!!

Yep guys, it is edible, rich in Vitamin C, and my friend's ducks, geese, and hens gobble it with relish !!   ;D 

I think it's a sweet looking plant, but then again, I love lots of weeds/wildflowers and my favourites are all types of thistles !!  ;)  ::)  ;D

[derbex]

Bl**dy H*ll, I grew this deliberately over the winter in the green house -I'd better pull up  the one that's started to flower! It's a salad -not the most tasty but it overwintered outside as well.

Jeremy

BTW your're right Georgia

a weed is just a flower in the wrong place. 

If it's place is in the Organic Gardening Catalogue they charge you for it :o

[Georgie]

LOL Jeremy, too right they do!

G xx

[wardy]

Been mostly eating claytonia today.  I recognised it as we walked on the sand dunes at Donna Nook in Lincs.  It was growing all over the place and looking very green and healthy.  We all ate some and confirmed it does taste of lettuce but a bit bland with no bread or salt  ;D