What is this large-leafed weed that grows near other shrubs
Here are two photos of a large-leafed weed. I have a scale of my hand for it since it is a large leaf and weed. Grabbed as much as I could out of it and just threw it out. They will grow back by the end of the summer, so I just wanna know what this is and how it could be used. Thanks alot! Peace and Love!
very large weed by the house. :-/ beneficial or garbage?
same plant with more of its leaves for ideal description.
Posted
by: Roseann Sorrentino
(3 points)
Posted: April 25, 2013
Answers
It's definitely a burdock! Dig deep and wide to remove every bit of the taproot. and cut off the beautiful flower heads before they go to seed if you want to banish it forever.
By the way, the roots of young, first-year plants are edible: http://bit.ly/10hmTv7 The Japanese prize these roots (called gobo) and grow cultivated varieties on farms and in gardens. Here's a recipe: http://bit.ly/10hne13 if you want to try it. Many foragers also eat the peeled stems and very young leaves.
For what it's worth, Roseann, all parts of this plant, including the notorious seed-heads (which inspired the invention of Velcro http://bit.ly/10hnLjt), have a long history of use in medicinal healing.
By the way, the roots of young, first-year plants are edible: http://bit.ly/10hmTv7 The Japanese prize these roots (called gobo) and grow cultivated varieties on farms and in gardens. Here's a recipe: http://bit.ly/10hne13 if you want to try it. Many foragers also eat the peeled stems and very young leaves.
For what it's worth, Roseann, all parts of this plant, including the notorious seed-heads (which inspired the invention of Velcro http://bit.ly/10hnLjt), have a long history of use in medicinal healing.
Posted
by: Peg Boyles
(4 points)
Posted: April 26, 2013
Looks to me very much like a burdock - they grow big, can be five foot tall and about three foot across so if in confined space, dispose of it. It can have quite a big tap root. The seed heads are a nightmare - very soft, spikey and cling to anything brushing past, especially in horses, tails and feathers. On the plus side: very beneficial to a lot of the insect world
Posted
by: cathy barker
(3 points)
Posted: April 25, 2013
Roseann Sorrentino commented,
oh man that soo stinks but hey been lucky not having insect infestations. Saw them and thought to myself had to get rid of it even if I couldn't do anything with it at the moment. almost 11 years ago.
oh man that soo stinks but hey been lucky not having insect infestations. Saw them and thought to myself had to get rid of it even if I couldn't do anything with it at the moment. almost 11 years ago.
It looks like burdock. Burdock has hollow stems and a carrot-like tap root. If you chop it off at the soil line, it will likely grow back. They are pretty easy to get rid of with a spade by digging a few inches deep and getting some of the core of the root.
Posted
by: Charlie B.
(5 points)
Posted: April 25, 2013
Roseann Sorrentino commented,
yeah I pulled and used the trowel to go as far down as it could to get as much out. I dont think I got the bottom root though, but I got a large amount. Even from grabbing it, with the force it still made me fall backwards, I was surprised *lol*. We'll see what we can do by July or August for these guys. almost 11 years ago.
yeah I pulled and used the trowel to go as far down as it could to get as much out. I dont think I got the bottom root though, but I got a large amount. Even from grabbing it, with the force it still made me fall backwards, I was surprised *lol*. We'll see what we can do by July or August for these guys. almost 11 years ago.
One of the keys to identifying burdock is flip the leaves over - they are covered in a soft white down. Burdock is biennial - first year it will put up leaves, second year flowers and seeds. The burrs (fruits) stick to *everything*. It's sometimes called beggar's button or wild rhubarb and most states classify it as a noxious, invasive weed. They especially make a mess on our sheep fleeces, so we try to deal with them in the first year to avoid having to pick the burrs off of everything and everyone in the second year!
Posted
by: Maggie Mae Farm
(1 point)
Posted: April 26, 2013
Roseann Sorrentino commented,
ooh it does sound enjoyable for next season, thank you. almost 11 years ago.
ooh it does sound enjoyable for next season, thank you. almost 11 years ago.
0 Comments