Is this a weed?

Question

We bought some property with a number of overgrown rockeries and I am trying to sort out the good from the bad.  Can anyone identify this for me? 
Thank you in advance.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

Honestly it looks to me a weed, however when in doubt wait a little while to see if it possibly could be a wildflower.Thats what I do if I cannot identify something right away.

Chemman · Answer

It's hard to tell. I would take you picture to a garden store and ask. if you have already let it grow and if you like it who cares what you call it.

Elaine · Answer

Whatever it is, it looks rather interesting!  Perhaps, if you reveal what province you live in, it might help us a bit more.  Also, is it green during the Winter?  If not, when does it appear (Spring, late Fall?)   Also, it's kind of difficult to determine its height.  Does it grow tall?  Need more info, Helen.

Connie Jordan · Answer

A weed is a plant growing where you don't want it!

Adriana Rivera · Answer

no

Linda · Answer

Plant it where you may want it if not a weed all is good. Does not look like a weed right off.

Rhonda B · Answer

It looks to be Euphorbia lathyrus aka Gopher Purge-not usually considered a weed.

S Brown · Answer

It almost looks like baby rosemary. If you rub your fingers lightly on the leaves and it gives off a scent you might be able to prove or disprove it.

Teri · Answer

The Mole Plant (also known as Caper Spurge, Gopher Spurge or Gopher Plant) is a garden annual or biennial that is mistakenly thought to repel moles or pocket gophers. I swear by these. As a adult plant these put out a white type milk into the ground that keeps the moles away. Do not get the milk on your hands. It usually will cause a rash. I have fields and woods all around me and very seldom ever do I have a mole or gopher.The mole plant has to be a adult plant before they really keep out the little buggers. I would read up on them. Pretty interesting plant. Whatever you do wear gloves when dealing with them.

Mlcapaci · Answer

Everything is a weed somewhere (where it is not wanted and it grows naturally and in the wild).

Helen W Atkinson · Answer

thank you! I will read up on The Gopher plant. That was most helpful

Phil a · Answer

My rule of thumb... 'If you don't like the way it looks in your yard, it's a weed.' Besides, weeds in a field are simply called wildflowers. ;-)

Peggy Tivis · Answer

I agree...gopher purge....

Nancy · Answer

I think it is a specie of Euphorbia---they sell them at nurseries. These guys self seed, and get pretty tall. They are attractive in a woodsy setting, maybe not so much in a rock garden. Be careful of the milky sap, it causes a rash. Deer will not eat them, (and neither should you!)

Adriana Rivera · Answer

no , is not weed

Sherylbluebell · Answer

It's a frittalaria (I can't spell) common name mole plant.

Black Hills Rosie · Answer

A lot of good answers but I'd suggest seeing it through the growing season before deciding, or take a piece of it to an extension agent or nursery.

Sdraughn · Answer

It is gopher purge...I only wished that it worked. Unless you want a yard full, you need to pull them up. Self seeding plant.

Darlene · Answer

Gopher purge is what it is, some people swear that it really works and some say it doesn't. I'd leave it for a while so you can make up your own mind. Its one of those things that its worked for some and that's why its gotten this name.

Heather · Answer

I had one come up in my garden and I thought it very pretty in summer with a lilac flower on it, and it attracted bees`. 2 years down the road I am still pulling it up from all over. It seeds itself like crazy.

Janice Victoria Hart · Answer

The solution for the seeds is to deadhead it after it's flowered that way you are encouraging the bees and getting rid of seed heads as well

Marcia · Answer

looks to me like gopher purge.  Its in the  Euphoria family and should have a milky sap.

Debbie/Dragonfly Treasure · Answer

yep...gopher purge....my Dad surrounded his 1/2 acre veggie garden with it and swore by it.  He kept it under control by deadheading it after it was done blooming

Stolzy · Answer

It looks like a Mole plant or also called a gopher plant. They are used to keep those out of and out from your yard... So they say. Transplant it to a flower bed that is part of the yard, not a stand alone bed.

Is this a weed?

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Is this a weed?

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