Asked on Apr 14, 2015
Is this a beautiful weed or a hardy garden ground cover?
by
Sherri
+24
I saw this beautiful weed growing out of a crack in Alameda California recently and wondered what it was. The next time I saw it (pictured here), was in a very un-kept Post Office garden area. Since I've been watching this plot fill with weeds that last two years, and have never seen this before, I think it must be a weed. If it's a weed, I want to know if it's invasive in California. I think it's beautiful and may dig it up and use it!
Next to a tree trunk for scale
Close up
20 answers
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it sure is pretty
JoAnn Tapia
on Apr 14, 2015
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have you tried your County's Extension Services? they can help you by phone, or you can email a photo, or bring it or parts of the plant to their help desk.
Cathy S
on Apr 14, 2015
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No answer, but it is pretty. You could use it as a ground cover and if it gets carried away with itself, just cut it back. Or maybe put a strip of metal barrier around it if it spreads by runners. Go deep enough to stop it.
DORLIS
on Apr 14, 2015
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The leaves do not look like a weed.
Carol May
on Apr 15, 2015
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for some reason i keep thinking this is a house plant...its leaves reminds me of one i have seen in lowes or home depo
Rosalina Padilla Ward
on Apr 15, 2015
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My deal is that it is blooming and has a pretty leaf, even if it is a weed I would keep it hope it spreads. Love the natural look to the garden.
Shirley Thomas
on Apr 15, 2015
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Looks like clover to me.
Patti
on Apr 15, 2015
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80% positive it is a weed. Looks like it is in the chaff-flower family but check with your extension office as the book I am using to identify it is from UFL. Good luck
Leona G
on Apr 15, 2015
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The definition of a weed is any plant which is growing where you don't want it :) This looks like a cover, so if you like it, keep it growing. Note that some of the "native" ground covers may die back during a change in season, but they will reappear. Do the bees like it? That would be another good reason to keep it.
Annie Smith
on Apr 15, 2015
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I think it is a ground cover not sure if it's name though my guess is its a shade lover
Rita Serrano
on Apr 15, 2015
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Here in FL our weeds bloom flowers. But they are so pretty I decided to keep them! Weeds to some and flowers to others....beauty in the eyes of the beholder. If you like it then let it grow and enjoy!!!
Kathleen Weilbacher Hornbecker
on Apr 15, 2015
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It is NOT a weed. I purchased that beautiful ground cover years ago when I lived in Alabama. I cannot remember the name; however I found it once in a book of ground covers. I have a very small amount of it still which was transplanted to a pot before I moved. Likes shade and spreads but not aggressively. Enjoy your little treasure!!
Judianni
on Apr 15, 2015
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It looks a bit like the Wild ginger I had growing in my naturalized part of my garden in NC. The leaves were variegated like that...contact the extension to be sure...
ShirleyB
on Apr 15, 2015
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It looks like wild violet! Check out the leaves!
Amy
on Apr 15, 2015
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It looks like the Noxious weed known as Bridal Veil in Australia.
Lynette Stone
on Apr 15, 2015
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It looks like a variety of geranium.
Heather
on Apr 15, 2015
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Think I found it! go to Plant Delights Nursey on line. Look up Pachysandra procumbens and see what you think.
DORLIS
on Apr 16, 2015
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Hi again Sherri, I nearly drove myself nuts trying to remember the name of your plant. Finally found it in an old gardening notebook (sometimes it's good to be a packrat). It is Polygonum capitatum 'Pink Buttons' (Pink Buttons Smartweed). One of my all-time favorite lucky impulsive purchases!!
Judianni
on Apr 16, 2015
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Thanks for the ID. I have been on several sites looking for it.
DORLIS
on Apr 16, 2015
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Might plant it on the bluff to compete with the japanese honeysuckle bush that is taking over Missouri
DORLIS
on Apr 16, 2015
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