Allotments 4 All

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

And it's got a Bamboo stem?? But the flower??

Looks very much like one of the tall ornamental grasses, Miscanthus perhaps. In which case weed killer should see it off.

Found it!! Was looking at photographs of the canal opposite my house, and there it was - the very same 'weed'! It's the Common Reed. It makes sense, as my allotment site is near the [long ago] reclaimed Plumstead Marshes. Handy should i wish to thatch my shed... However, I've still got to get rid of the darned thing!

A thatched shed sounds wonderful  ;D

i was thinking that too :D