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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

Could it be a member of the bay willow family?
Janet

Yes looks like Epilobium http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epilobium

Very common weed in plants from garden centre or nursery.

It looks like Grannyjanny and Kea are right. It is pretty though! xx

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

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

That wasn't necessarily unsterile compost. I find some seeds, including Epilobium, get everywhere!

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?

It's def not Black-eyed Susan...  ;D

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

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

Hmmmm.  I guess I'll have to wait for flowers to be certain?

G x

Sorry, I was wrong, bottom leaves are opposite, the top leaves alternate, so I think Flighty's right.

Well, looks like we're all agreed it's broad leaved willowherb then?   :)

G x

Just admiring your garden on your Blog, Geogie....it looks lovely. How big is it?

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

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.

Just about all my new plants waiting to be planted have them in the pot with the plant I want.