(Another) Mystery Plant in Ashtabula Co. - Ask Extension
Do you recognize this plant? I only just noticed it growing by our fence, hidden by the clematis. It's about 30 inches. Leaves at the bottom of the si...
Knowledgebase
(Another) Mystery Plant in Ashtabula Co. #271444
Asked August 19, 2015, 6:10 PM EDT
Do you recognize this plant? I only just noticed it growing by our fence, hidden by the clematis. It's about 30 inches. Leaves at the bottom of the single stem are alternate, lance like, and just barely toothed. The spikey growths that look pine needles appear to be seed pods; they turn brown and curl back after the seeds are dispersed on white fluff. Flowers are white and tiny. I've never seen anything like this!
Ashtabula County Ohio
Expert Response
Hello Ashtabula County,
This is a mystery. From the seed dispersal it looks like it should be in the milkweed family. Please check to see if you break off a leaf if there is a milky substance.
We will keep checking to try to ID. I am checking with others.
Thank you,
This is a mystery. From the seed dispersal it looks like it should be in the milkweed family. Please check to see if you break off a leaf if there is a milky substance.
We will keep checking to try to ID. I am checking with others.
Thank you,
Denise, there was no milky substance. However, tonight I was looking through the Extension's public questions that had been answered, and came across a clue to the puzzle. Angie T responded on 8/27 to a question & pictures from Bay Co., MI, by suggesting the plant was a purple-leaved willowherb. After searching a few plant sites, I think my plant is a northern willowherb, Epilobium glandulosum (although I didn't see many pictures with white, yellow-centered flowers, like mine has).
BTW, when wet, the curled sides of the opening seed pods become straight and close up, pretty smart if propagation depends on dry, breezy weather! I've attached a picture FYI. Thank you for your help!
BTW, when wet, the curled sides of the opening seed pods become straight and close up, pretty smart if propagation depends on dry, breezy weather! I've attached a picture FYI. Thank you for your help!
Thank you!! I appreciate the update.
