Large leafed weed, is it Burdock?

Discussion in 'Plant ID' started by Karrma, Sep 2, 2011.

  1. Karrma

    Karrma In Flower

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    [​IMG]
    weed in my gravel ( photo / image / picture from Karrma's Garden )

    This weed grew like a weed in my gravel parking area, seemed to pop up overnight. Inner and new leaves have a fuzz on them, older leaves seem to be losing some of the fuzz. Rosette form. Wondering if this could be burdock, which I hear has an edible root.
     
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  3. glendann

    glendann Official Garden Angel

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    This is mullin.It grows in my yard.Its an amazing plant.The center of the plant grows straight up and starts to bloom yellow blooms.
     
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  4. Sjoerd

    Sjoerd Mighty Oak

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    Hi,

    If this plant were growing here, I would immediately think that it would be a Verbascum.

    Like Glenda says, I would expect it to send up a tall-ish central stalk that would be studded with small, yellow flowers.

    Well, K--I can't tell if it is a verbascum at all from here...but assuming it is, I can't tell which one it is either, but I suspect the common yellow one based upon percentages of likelihood.

    If it is the common one I would not expect it to bloom this year, but rather next, should you choose to leave it or transplant it.

    Verbascum nigrum is one choice of what this plant of yours could be.

    Good luck with it, whatever you decide to do.
     
  5. Netty

    Netty Chaotic Gardener Plants Contributor

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    Agreed!
    Great Mullein - Verbascum thapsus
     



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  6. carolyn

    carolyn Strong Ash

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    yes mullein, It is used in homeopathic medicine for pulmonary use, but mostly it is just a weed. the basal plant is cool looking, but the flower stem is weedy looking. Very unattractive.
     
  7. Philip Nulty

    Philip Nulty Strong Ash

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    I would agree with everyone,..here is a picture of some from my garden,..taken in July,..well over 6 Ft.



    [​IMG]
    Verbascum. ( photo / image / picture from Philip Nulty's Garden )
     
  8. calinromania

    calinromania Young Pine

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    It's not this one philip. This one IDed got much bigger, fuzzy-er leaves and the flower is just plain yellow.
    THe one you show is probably V. blattaria or something.
     
  9. Karrma

    Karrma In Flower

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    Yes, the leaf looks exactly like Verbascum nigrum. Unfortunately, the driveway is part of my husband's realm, so I will not be able to see this one flower.
     
  10. carolyn

    carolyn Strong Ash

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    Karma, don't fret. Yours will not be as pretty as Philips. Yours is a WEED, not a cultivar like his. Mostly they are awful looking as they make a flower and go to seed.
     
  11. Karrma

    Karrma In Flower

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    It was never going to survive in a driveway anyways. But if it was Burdock we would have eaten it.
     
  12. Kay

    Kay Girl with Green Thumbs

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    It looks like the verbascum that grows wild here. Can be sort of pretty (in a weedy sort of way)along the roadsides in the country.
    Be glad its not Burdock, you have to dig to China to get the root! :D
     
  13. glendann

    glendann Official Garden Angel

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    They come up all over my yard I'm pulling them up all year.
     
  14. Tooty2shoes

    Tooty2shoes Hardy Maple

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    Karrma yes that is Mullen. It may be considered just a weed by so many. But this wonderful biennial plant will amaze you in what it can do for ones health. First it makes a wonderful tea chocked full of vitamins. Such as, B2, B5,
    B12,D,choline,hesperidin,PABA,sulfur,magnesium,mucilage,saponins, and other active substances. Don't try making a tea out of it until you read my blog page on it.
    You can smoke the dried leaves to remedy asthma and bronchitis. It is very effective in doing that even though it is being smoked. I have more written on my blog page if you want to check out this much over looked and maligned biennial. If you are out in the woods hiking and need to relieve yourself. :eek: It's leaves are a wonderful toilet paper substitute. I just I to speak up for this wonderful plant. ;)
     
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  15. Karrma

    Karrma In Flower

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    I recognize it now as "Indian Tobacco". I would use some of the seeds as a kid and make "coffee". Never drank it though. I'll remember this info if I am out in the woods and need some medications. Looks like you use the leaf, not the seeds however, as the seeds contain coumarin and rotenone. (That is, unless it is a homeopathy dilution.)
     
  16. glendann

    glendann Official Garden Angel

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    My MOTHER said it was used as a tea and good for cronic lung problems.
     

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