Is this a weed or a shrub or something else?

Question

I would have liked to see what would come from the cluster of buds on it, but it was in my way, so I took it out. Any ideas guys?

Sandy Lee H · Answer

Elderberry?

Reeseworld1 · Answer

Weed and very invasive once the seeds mature and drop. Pull!!!

BethAnn · Answer

Berries turn purple, birds eat them....purple staining poop and more seeds planted!  PULL as much out of the ground as possible!!!

Izo7520714 · Answer

It looks like a Little Henry Virginia Sweetspre

Sue · Answer

It is poke weed. I am sure it grows in my flower beds

Raye Downey · Answer

ITS A WEED   RIP IT OUT

Diana Megyesi Echler · Answer

It is poke weed but it is also edible.  You can boil the leaves and add bacon and it is rather good but smells horrible.  The berries are poisonous to humans.  Remember Poke Salad Annie?  This was what she ate.  I would get rid of it.

M Q Nichols · Answer

It is poke weed.  I let a few plants grow in the natural part of my yard. The birds love the ripe berries and even see to get a bit of a buzz from it. When the berries are ripe, the birds at my nearby feeder become louder, happier and sillier.

I also like to use it in my flower arrangements. Both the green and the purple berries add an unusual element to my floral designs.

Betty · Answer

Pokeweed

Laurette · Answer

weed pull now before it drops more seed!

Brian Owenby · Answer

Poke yes. Berries are lethal in large numbers. But do not eat this at this size. The plant at maturity can send you to the bathroom for a day or worse

Cook them young and newly formed.

Diana Megyesi Echler · Answer

Got it in my yard.  My father-in-law used to want me to cook it up.  Used to have my son go out and beat the weed up so there wasn't anything for me to cook.

Ric7883949 · Answer

While pokeweed leaves are edible, you need to read up on the prep process. What you are left with is something quite tasteless.  Also, these plants don't just self seed, they sprout from a tuber-like root every year.  I personally like the looks of them but the will get out of hand in a few years.  Birds love to eat the berries and then find they have to vomit them out.  Instinct overrides their judgment and they eat them all over again.

Kathleen Conery · Answer

Pokeweed is also used as a natural dye. The berries give you pinks, to reds, to burnt orange colors depending on the mordant and heat used.
But otherwise it's a stubborn, spreading, poisonous nuisance. If you didn't get the whole root/tuber out, I'll bet it grows back in the same place next year!

Sharon · Answer

I took a piece of this to green house  staff they said its niteshade  an invasive weed and poison as old heck!!Sharon

Sue Kiene · Answer

You have poke berry not nightshade. 2 different plants. Either one I would get rid of because they are both very invasive. Good luck

Pat Kelley Wittorf · Answer

Poke!!!  Time for some Poke Salit, Annie.   LOL   One of the few greens I actually like.  The berries make a beautiful red dye too, but be careful because it's very permanent.   It is not poison.... old wives tale.  We only picked the small, tender leaves to eat.  The mature ones are tough and strong tasting.

BTW, I'm originally from Oklahoma and my mother and I would drive out in the country looking for it along fence lines where we'd pick those tender leaves.  Once we moved out of town and had a few acres, we brought the seed berries back and started our own along the fence line.

Lyn7456005 · Answer

A weed is just a flower out of place😉

Vickie Benak · Answer

Boy, all you people are amazing and fast. I posted my ? Yesterday, and got quite a few replies. Thank you to all of my Hometalk friends.  You all are better than Dear Abbie.

Dkm72146 · Answer

Poke salad is a very delicious green.  It is mildly invasive but easily controlled as it only grows where it wants when it wants.  The main thing people need to know is that it has to be blanched and the water poured off, then covered with fresh water and cooked just as any other greens.  The leaves are most tender before the seed pods appear and the plant stalks are not edible.  It has a bad reputation, but is nutritious and free along with being a delicious greens.

Marcia · Answer

Ifits poke it has to be cooked a specific way or it will make you sick!

Patti · Answer

The tender stems are edible too.   You just peel them, cut in small pieces, add cornmeal and fry.   Tastes a little like fried okra.   We eat the greens too.  Pick when young, wash, blanch, drain, boil, drain again put in a skillet with oil and heat, add  a beaten egg or two and cook until egg is done.  Yum.  I believe it is  poisonous if not properly prepared, but we've been eating it for generations and our little town even has a Poke Salat Festival!

Evelyn R. Frazier · Answer

What is it?

Holly Lengner - Lost Mom · Answer

https://youhadmeatgardening.com/best-plant-identification-app/#:~:text=%20Top%20free%20plant%20identification%20app%20picks%20,1%20PlantNet%202%20iNaturalist%203%20PlantSnap%20More%20

Agnes Chrzanowska · Answer

Is this a weed or a shrub or something else?

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Is this a weed or a shrub or something else?

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