What is this plant?
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This plant (the two bright green spikey-looking ones) grows in the area of WV where my husband is from, but we have no idea what it is. He says it reseeds itself every year and the plant itself gets very tall, around 4 or 5 feet. I would appreciate any comments.
31 answers
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It looks like a red hot poker plant to me. Have you ever seen it flower? Mine took several years before it did so.
Nanci Burroughs
on Jun 18, 2013
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Thanks, Nanci, but, no, my husband says he's never seen a flower on it. Some of the folks in the country call it a burning bush but, of course, it certainly isn't and doesn't even turn color.
Lynne Reis-Napier
on Jun 18, 2013
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The foliage looks somewhat likes cosmos foliage to me. And those do get 4 to 5 feet high, but they definitely flower. The only burning bush I know is a shrub and looks nothing like that.
Douglas Hunt
on Jun 19, 2013
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I agree, Douglas. I've had cosmos before and I do have a burning bush in the front of the house so I'm very familiar with that. I just have no idea what this is. It never flowers - just dies out and reseeds. There are actually several here - one tall one, a shorter and smaller ones growing. The birds ate them all last year but this bunch landed here and we haven't moved them since the birds aren't bothering them this year. Really strange. Thank you for your comment!
Lynne Reis-Napier
on Jun 19, 2013
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Lynne, if it reseeds it has to produce a flower.
Douglas Hunt
on Jun 19, 2013
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I thought you meant the plant behind the fuzzy one. That looks like a typical weed we have here in GA...yes, sorta like cosmos. Not much of a flower if any and I have no idea what its called. All you can do is pull them as as soon as you see them and hopefully they will eventually die out.
Nanci Burroughs
on Jun 19, 2013
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In the south back in the 60's you could buy seeds for "burning bush" or some name like that. No significant flowers...the name came from it's color in the fall. It was an annual with fine foliage like your picture that grew into a bush shape maybe 3-5' tall. It could be a weed in some climates...consider Horsetail rush that's $10 for a quart at nurseries...it is VERY invasive and almost impossible to remove once started. Got spores with pine needles when I lived in Louisiana...pretty and unusual at first then the nightmare began!! xoxo D
Deborah Kay-Morgan
on Jun 19, 2013
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Well, Douglas, you see how much I know LOL. I'll keep my eye on this one. Maybe I'll get out there later and take a closer picture. @Nanci, I'm cracking up because I love it; I think it makes a great background plant and the color is such a bright green - if it were in the right place, which, obviously, it isn't. Thanks so much to both of you for your comments.
Lynne Reis-Napier
on Jun 19, 2013
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It looks kinda like a dog fennel? But I know its not. Cosmos is a good answer!
Nancy Hand
on Jun 19, 2013
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I will agree with Nancy Hand, Eupatorium capillifolium.
The French Gardener
on Jun 19, 2013
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This plant is Kochia scoparia, Common names are Burning Bush, Summer Cypress, Mexican Fireweed, It is in the Amaranthaceae family, genus Bassia. It actually does bloom in late summer to fall by turning red. Handling the plant may cause skin irritation, or the pollen can cause an allergic reaction. Hostaqueen33
Charlene Mason
on Jun 19, 2013
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Well..I am sitting here looking out my window at our Burning Bush and it looks nothing like whatever that stuff is..lol
Nancy Blue Moon
on Jun 19, 2013
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The burning bush you have is probably the shrub euonymus alatus, a large shrub that leafs out green and turns bright red in the fall. It is more like a small tree. The Kochia is a softer plant. A LOT of plants have the same common name, that's where it helps to know the latin names.
Charlene Mason
on Jun 19, 2013
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I was thinking it looked a lot like fennel to me. So I would go with Dog fennel. I am not sure though. I have never heard of a burning bush that wasn't a bush.
Jeanna Morgan
on Jun 19, 2013
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Its just a common name, probably because it resembles a bush on fire. Common names can be confusing.
Charlene Mason
on Jun 19, 2013
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@Lynne Reis-Napier I don't think it is cosmos - too bushy for that. I have planted that annual many years and it flowers every year, even if seeds from the previous year's plant. Here is a link to info on cosmos. http://www.wallcoo.net/flower/wild_flowers_cosmos/wild_flower_cosmos_photo_22674328e.html Not quite sure what it is.
Gail Salminen
on Jun 19, 2013
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You got it Charlene! Google search shows that it is considered invasive in some states.
Deborah Kay-Morgan
on Jun 19, 2013
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Well, I took a closer look and here's a pic - it does indeed look like the Mexican Fireweed, Charlene, especially when I googled it and saw a picture of one. No one I know has ever seen one turn red so we'll see what happens later on; perhaps that's an environmental thing? I thank each and every one of you for all your advice!!!
Lynne Reis-Napier
on Jun 19, 2013
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LOOKS LIKE ASPARAGUS FERN
Alice Palumbo
on Jun 20, 2013
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Mexican burning bush. Annual from seed in Ontario.
Patti Lemaire
on Jun 20, 2013
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What ever it is, it's pretty - I would leave it right where it is and enjoy it! Googling Mexican firebush shows several different plants with that name....
Debra Peters
on Jun 20, 2013
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http://www.library.illinois.edu/vex/toxic/firewd/firewd.htm
Jocelyne marchand
on Jun 20, 2013
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It looks like weeds that grow rampant in Florida.
Michelle Seay
on Jun 20, 2013
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Sure does looks like weeds that are growing all over my yard in Florida esp. during the rainy season...which is now. :(
Oy
on Jun 20, 2013
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Your photo looks very much like Asparagus Fern, I've a good bit of it in our yards in both southeast AL and northwest FL. I dig it up because it's very invasive in our mild winters and even if killed back to the soil will come back when the weather warms if it's in a sheltered area. The stems get 2-3' long and fuller toward the base. It has a hairy mat like root system that has somewhat oval shaped thick nodules, the density of the whole makes it difficult to cut into even with a sharp tool. The roots spread quickly and will make new plants but it also flowers with small sprays of very tiny white blooms that will mature into small green berries the birds will then spread. When the plant matures it will have wicked spiky thorns that will easily tear your skin and go right through thin gloves to bite you! If you have cold winters enjoy it, it's extremely resilient. I don't know of anything that either harms or kills it except cold, an herbicide like roundup or a very determined gardener.
Trudy
on Jun 20, 2013
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I think Jocelyne has it, fireweed, her link has a picture and it looks just like it!
MaryAnne
on Jun 20, 2013
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There's no doubt in my mind that it's the Mexican Fire Weed; now just to see if it turns in the fall. I have asparagus fern so I know it isn't that, although I do see the resemblance. In the meantime, I'm just going to watch and see what it does and call it "Cousin It" LOL - Thanks again, everyone!
Lynne Reis-Napier
on Jun 20, 2013
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Can anyone tell me what the flower on the right side with the small white blooms is? I have some that looks like that but it grows about waist high. It is now blooming in Missouri. Thanks if anyone can tell me!
Diana Gashwiler
on Jun 23, 2013
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@Diana Gashwiler: The plant on the right is a lacecap hydrangea. So great to see someone from Shelbina here on Hometalk. My mother's family is from Shelbyville.
Douglas Hunt
on Jun 24, 2013
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Diana, that lacecap hydrangea is almost as tall as I am and I'm around 5'5" - I just love it.
Lynne Reis-Napier
on Jun 24, 2013
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Douglas Hunt: Thanks for the id! We just moved here from Chillicothe,Mo a few weeks ago. I am from the Kirksville area though and was a little familiar with this area. Shelbyville has a very pretty courthouse! I have attended the Bethel Octoberfest many times! Small world!
Diana Gashwiler
on Jun 24, 2013
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