Purple/Pink with small flowers and a thick stem. Dense foliage.

Discussion in 'Plant ID' started by ConfusedKatie, Jun 6, 2021.

  1. ConfusedKatie

    ConfusedKatie New Seed

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    This stuff honestly grows like nothing ive ever seen.

    The stem is like a bean stalk.

    Its kind of pretty but Im also thinking its a weed that I need to do something about.

    Edit - should say I am in Hampshire, UK
     

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  3. mart

    mart Strong Ash

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    No idea but I like it !
     
  4. carolyn

    carolyn Strong Ash

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    looks like statice to me. German statice to be more specific. Does it have broad roseate clump of foliage it grows from?
     
    Last edited: Jun 8, 2021
  5. Cayuga Morning

    Cayuga Morning Strong Ash Plants Contributor

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    Does it look like this? PXL_20210606_221354328.MP_compress53.jpg PXL_20210606_221349253.MP_compress70.jpg PXL_20210606_221358887.MP_compress58.jpg

    This last is a photo of the foliage. After the flowers die, the plant shrinks back to 3-4 inch tuffs of foliage.

    My plant is catchfly. I think. I don't know the Latin name. It is very confusing: Silene Viscaría, Lychnis Viscaria or a combination of these three names! Very confusing.

    If you pick a stem, the sap should be a milky white if it is s catchfly.

    Catchflies like dry sandy soil with a goodly amount of sun. I love mine.
     



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  6. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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  7. Odif

    Odif Young Pine

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    Valerian I think possibly.
     
  8. Palustris

    Palustris Young Pine

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    Yes, Centranthus ruber. Valerian. Can be a bit of a seed weed. Comes in white and pale pink too.
     
  9. ConfusedKatie

    ConfusedKatie New Seed

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    Um - the stem is really really thick so im not sure that it is the same as yours - sorry Cayuga im new so not sure how to quote you on this yet. Those are pretty flowers though :)
     
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  10. ConfusedKatie

    ConfusedKatie New Seed

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    What does seed weed mean?

    I think you have the answer!
     
  11. Palustris

    Palustris Young Pine

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    A seed weed is a plant which produces many, many seeds all of which will germinate exactly where you do not want them. Dandelions for example.
     
  12. Odif

    Odif Young Pine

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    Valerian is a strong somnifer. It helps you sleep. I guessed by the leaves that your plant is likely to be valerian.
     
  13. ConfusedKatie

    ConfusedKatie New Seed

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    So should I bring it in in a vase? I do like it.
     
  14. Sjoerd

    Sjoerd Mighty Oak

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    This plant looks like false valerian (Centranthus ruber) to me, as opposed to the real valerian (Valeriana officinalis). The real valerian does not exist in this colour as far as I know.
     
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  15. Odif

    Odif Young Pine

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    Centranthus ruber also known as red valerian. I do not know if it has the same working as normal valerian. If the flowers don’t stink, why not bring them in.
     
  16. Palustris

    Palustris Young Pine

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    That is the trouble with using 'common' names rather than the proper Latinesque epithets. Valerian as a name can refer to two totally different plants,Valeriana officinalis and Centranthus ruber.
     
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