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Mystery Weed - or a Poppy?

comments (5) May 19th, 2011 in gallery

MicFarmer MicFarmer, member
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See other photo for spine like detail
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See other photo for spine like detail
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I live in MA and this weedlike plant showed up this spring. It's been sprouting big thick leaves with a weird purple spine that has a shoe lace look to it, so I've decided to let it grow.  It is growing where I had tried to grown some poppies last year and at first I thought it might be one, but now the leaves look too big. Am I letting a weed take over my garden?

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Comments (5)

MicFarmer writes: Ah! I think you are right! I will post a picture if and when the blooms arrive. Thanks so much! Posted: 8:00 pm on May 31st
lilbo writes: This is a plant known as Burdock, a biennial thistle in the genus Arctium. It produces a velcro like burr that easily clings onto most surfaces that rub against it. the plant that can grow to about 24" across has a deep tap root that must be completely removed for eradication. Burdock is quite prolific, spreading by seeds. Posted: 12:51 am on May 29th
Wrobelfamily writes: Hi, I'm wondering too about this plant, I have it in my vegetable garden, is it some kind of horse raddish or wild comfrey? Posted: 8:14 pm on May 27th
MicFarmer writes: Perhaps, but my experience with plantain is the leaves aren't so scalloped. These leaves look more like pumpkin, but the purple spines are really bizarre. I notice yesterday that the spines are starting to protrude, like they may become flowers .. ? ? still a mystery. Posted: 6:17 am on May 25th
whiterock writes: Looks like plantain to me. A weed. Posted: 8:14 pm on May 22nd
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