This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
Weed ID
Learningslowly
Posts: 51
We do have problems with Bindweed in our garden but this looks different to the spindly stuff that normally appears.
The leaf shape looks the same but it is stronger and darker in colour.
Any help with ID and non chemical eradication techniques appreciated!
Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think...
0
Posts
No that looks like it could be lord and ladies (arum maculatum)
Thanks for the quick response Sussexsun, I've looked that up on the RHS site and the leaves look a little different but that could be that they have only just sprouted.
Yes, it's arum maculatum - the leaf shape does sometimes vary - but that's what it is.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Just dig it out, although bigger plants produce an interesting flower, a purple or pale coloured spadix in a green spathe. Leave one for interest's sake. Those white 'bulbs' are curious. They have alkaloids in them that make your tongue go numb with a burning sensation. Very starchy, they were used once, dried and powdered, as the base for a cosmetic and as food. However, I wouldn't. Otherwise, why grow potatoes - so much tastier and more prolific! The berries, bright orange when ripe, are poisonous.
H-C.
Thanks for your responses chums.
Given that it is coming up under my pyracantha and its toxic nature (thanks for the info H-C), I'll dig it out and destroy.
I've been battling with this for 5+ years now. It just keeps coming I've no idea where from. I hoe the tops off 2-3 times a week as they appear from spring till mid-summer - but the following year there seem to be just as many
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
You have cheered me up, not Pete8!
It does seem that the main plant I found had a long root that may have come under the fence from next door but the two others were in my front garden some way away.
I think it may be a similar problem to the Lily of the Valley that clogged one border when we moved here. It took some years of digging up the roots before it finally disappeared.
I am thinking that just hoeing the tops off isn't actually doing much as the roots and tubers are still there to regrow.
Sorry Geoff
I'd rather have lily of the valley any day than this stuff!
I tried using Rosate36 - a very strong version of roundup - that had little effect due to the shiny/waxy leaves. The tiny bulblets shoot up from 12"+ below ground. I've got a border 100ft approx and they're popping up all over the place again - after more than 5 years.
Sorry if this post doesn't cheer you up either....
Just a pity that a problem shared in this case isn't a problem halved!
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.