Mystery Weed

39 Comments

1. Thank you, it is growing taller every day.

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2. I was going to guess some sort of poppy, since years ago some red poppies were mystery plants to me until they bloomed, and they had a slight resemblance to this. But I won’t’ dispute Ann, since she’s more of a plant expert than I am. Poison hemlock looks more like a carrot that this does, but I’ve never seen wild carrot or Queen Anne’s Lace. I didn’t know they were the same plant. At least what you have isn’t poison hemlock!

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   • Thank goodness, I would probably be in the ER! We will see soon maybe what it grows into.

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3. Weeds are plants you don’t want in the garden. If you like it then it is no longer a weed. It would be nice to know what it is. Sorry for the loss of your Dad, mine passed in 1993. Sadly missed.

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   • I know about the weeds, I fight them all the tie. This one was my Dad’s, making it special no matter what it turns out to be. Sorry for your loss.

4. That sure looks like Daucus carota to me, aka wild carrot sometimes called Queen Anne’s Lace (not to be confused with Ammi Majus). If that is what it is, know that although it is quite beautiful, it is also very high on the Allergy Scale and causes phytophotodermatitis in some people, worse than poison ivy. It is invasive and classified as a Noxious Weed in 35 states.

   Carol, I don’t think it is at all silly to keep it and watch it bloom, but if it is wild carrot, depending on where you live, you might not want to allow it to go to seed outdoors.

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   • Kim mentioned it might be carrot. I am going to plant it in a far corner of the yard and keep an eye on it. Thanks for the warning!

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     • … but after researching I didn’t see the hairy stem on the wild carrot. I will watch it from a distance.

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       • The hairy stem is one of the wild carrot’s distinguishing features. That is how you know it is not hemlock.

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         • Well what do you know. Really, Queen Annes lace, thats it. Go ahead and plant that thing in the corner Carol. Ann, I didnt know that queen annes lace was a wild carrot. I should of known, I mean look at it. Thank you for teaching me a few things.

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         • Wow that is amazing, thank you again Ann.

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   • Carol, you spend enough time in your garden to keep it under control, they are super easy to pull up. I can now see the whole corner filled with happy lace!

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     • Yes you are right Kim, that is what I will do.

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5. I have no idea what it is, but it looks like a weed to me… The longer you wait to pull those suckers out, the more they’ll spread…

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   • This was in a container I brought from my Dad’s after he passed. Apparently when the guy dug up the camellia bush, this was dug up with it.

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     • I don’t know much about gardening, but I know one thing about weeding- the longer you put it off, the worse it gets…

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     • If and when you do examine the root, if it is Daucus carota the root will look like a little carrot:

       http://joshfecteau.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/wildcarrotroots.jpg

       Here is the hairy stem:

       https://www.pinterest.com/pin/222435669075659795/

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       • Thanks for the links Ann.

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6. As Kim says he resembles a carrot. There is one such flower. Wait and you’ll see what’s right. Keep it that’s important to you

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   • Good to see you Elenka. Thank you!

7. If it didn’t have that fuzzy stem, id say carrot. Wait till it blooms, I love the texture and pattern of the leave, plant it in the back and see if it tries to take over. If it does, put that dude back in the pot. Grins. I want to see it bloom. Keep us updated will ya?

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   • Thanks Kim, I will do just that! My Dad’s weeds are special too if that is what it is.

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8. Even if it’s weed, it is pretty!!

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   • Thanks I thought so as well.

9. The foliage looks quite delicate and pretty, and I love that hairy stem! I would definitely keep and tend it, and who knows what pretty flowers it might bear 🙂 It’s a very nice way to remember your Dad.

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   • Thank you Norman, I planned to keep it no matter what it is, but still trying to make an ID. Either way, as you said, it is special from my Dad’s yard.

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10. It is a lovely thing to have plants that have come down through family. You may get the info you are looking for from your country extension agent.

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    • Yes but it is from a different state, so we will see as it grows. Thanks!

11. It does not matter, even if it’s a weed .. If you keep it up, save it. It’s also for me to lose your father.

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    • I agree with you Robin. I will plant is and see what happens.

12. Best I can determine, it might be – or related to – Pennsylvania bittercress. Then again, it might be Chinese mustard. Not sure, really.

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    • Thanks for the guesses, I will plant it and keep you posted.

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      • Yes. Please do. If it’s a Pennsylvania bittercress, the leaves will grow to be rounded.

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13. It’s only a weed if it is unwanted. Sorry to hear you lost your dad.

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    • How cool, I have never heard it put like that, so true. Yes almost one year ago I lost him.

14. I think it is too pretty to be a weed.

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    • I agree but trying to identify what it is.

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      • I will ask my husband. He, knows alot about flowers and weeds as well lol.

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        • Carol my husband thinks it is a weed. I told you I would ask him. I think it is a pretty weed if that is what it is.