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Produce => Non Edible Plants => Topic started by: Georgie on June 07, 2009, 14:46:51

Title: Plant ID please
Post by: Georgie on June 07, 2009, 14:46:51
I strongly suspect I've been cultivating a weed!  This plant came up in a pot which was supposed to contain Thunbergia seeds.  It doesn't look like Thunbergia to me.  It was sown on 28 March and is 17cm tall.  The longest leaf is 9cm and the leaves are smooth (not hairy).  Any ideas please?

G x

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Plant%20ID/P6070036.jpg)

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Plant%20ID/P6070035.jpg)
Title: Re: Plant ID please
Post by: grannyjanny on June 07, 2009, 14:51:08
Could it be a member of the bay willow family?
Janet
Title: Re: Plant ID please
Post by: Kea on June 07, 2009, 15:09:37
Yes looks like Epilobium http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epilobium

Very common weed in plants from garden centre or nursery.
Title: Re: Plant ID please
Post by: Flighty on June 07, 2009, 15:40:56
It looks like Grannyjanny and Kea are right. It is pretty though! xx

http://www.english-country-garden.com/flowers/broad-leaved-willowherb.htm

Title: Re: Plant ID please
Post by: Georgie on June 07, 2009, 17:09:09
Thank you for your quick and helpful responses.   :) 

I'm a bit cross that the Thunbergia didn't germinate (and that the seed compost wasn't sterile) but never mind.  I'll pop the plant in the wild flower area by the shed where it looks as though it'll be enjoyed by a number of insects.   ;D

G x
Title: Re: Plant ID please
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on June 07, 2009, 22:03:20
That wasn't necessarily unsterile compost. I find some seeds, including Epilobium, get everywhere!
Title: Re: Plant ID please
Post by: Unwashed on June 07, 2009, 22:06:18
The leaves do look like broad leaved willowherb, but they look to me to be opposite, and that's not right for willowherb is it?
Title: Re: Plant ID please
Post by: saddad on June 07, 2009, 22:13:58
It's def not Black-eyed Susan...  ;D
Title: Re: Plant ID please
Post by: Georgie on June 08, 2009, 15:21:54
Quote from: Unwashed on June 07, 2009, 22:06:18
The leaves do look like broad leaved willowherb, but they look to me to be opposite, and that's not right for willowherb is it?

Yes, the leaves are opposite.  Any idea what it is please?

Quote from: saddad on June 07, 2009, 22:13:58
It's def not Black-eyed Susan...  ;D

I know!   ;D

G x
Title: Re: Plant ID please
Post by: Flighty on June 08, 2009, 15:59:59
It still looks like this to me

http://www.english-country-garden.com/a/i/flowers/broad-leaved-willowherb-5.jpg

which is a broad leaved willowherb!  xx
Title: Re: Plant ID please
Post by: Georgie on June 08, 2009, 16:09:59
Hmmmm.  I guess I'll have to wait for flowers to be certain?

G x
Title: Re: Plant ID please
Post by: Unwashed on June 08, 2009, 18:22:34
Sorry, I was wrong, bottom leaves are opposite, the top leaves alternate, so I think Flighty's right.
Title: Re: Plant ID please
Post by: Georgie on June 08, 2009, 20:49:33
Well, looks like we're all agreed it's broad leaved willowherb then?   :)

G x
Title: Re: Plant ID please
Post by: Kea on June 09, 2009, 09:14:02
Just admiring your garden on your Blog, Geogie....it looks lovely. How big is it?
Title: Re: Plant ID please
Post by: Georgie on June 09, 2009, 20:43:25
Quote from: Kea on June 09, 2009, 09:14:02
Just admiring your garden on your Blog, Geogie....it looks lovely. How big is it?

Awww, thanks Kea, how kind of you to say so.  :)  It's quite small, just 3m x 15m but I cram quite a lot in.  ;)  ;D

G x
Title: Re: Plant ID please
Post by: PurpleHeather on June 10, 2009, 07:37:33
I consider them to be weeds.

We get them everywhere and pull them up. They seem to have a knack of planting themselves around other plants and the roots strangle the plant I want to keep.
Title: Re: Plant ID please
Post by: Kea on June 11, 2009, 15:37:36
Just about all my new plants waiting to be planted have them in the pot with the plant I want.