Trying to identify mystery plant - Ask Extension
We have some mystery plants that have grown up around our bird feeder that I suspect have sprouted from fallen seed. The bird seed package lists mille...
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Trying to identify mystery plant #277053
Asked September 10, 2015, 9:26 AM EDT
We have some mystery plants that have grown up around our bird feeder that I suspect have sprouted from fallen seed. The bird seed package lists millet, sunflower, safflower, and cracked corn as the contents. These plants look closest to the millet images that I've found, but I would like to confirm that. Each stalk has grown to over 9 feet tall and has multiple branching points along the stem. The leaves are lobed and bigger than the palm of a man's hand. The seed heads are about 6-9 inches long with closely packed seed pods. The birds LOVE the seeds. We also have a lot of very large bracken fern in the yard, so that is the other greenery you see in the pictures.
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Mary -
Thank you very much for your quick response. I think you've solved the mystery! I was so focused on thinking that it had sprouted from seed that had fallen from the bird feeder. Is it possible that the ragweed seed could have been in the bird seed? (Audubon Park Premium Wild Bird Seed) I'm not aware of any other ragweed plants in our neighborhood, although I haven't done an extensive search, so I suppose it is out there somewhere. Fortunately, nobody in my family is allergic to ragweed and the birds love it.
Jody
Thank you very much for your quick response. I think you've solved the mystery! I was so focused on thinking that it had sprouted from seed that had fallen from the bird feeder. Is it possible that the ragweed seed could have been in the bird seed? (Audubon Park Premium Wild Bird Seed) I'm not aware of any other ragweed plants in our neighborhood, although I haven't done an extensive search, so I suppose it is out there somewhere. Fortunately, nobody in my family is allergic to ragweed and the birds love it.
Jody
Hi Jody,
i suppose it may have been in the birdseed mix - but it wouldn't have been intentional on their part. This is an agricultural weed, and lots of people are allergic to the pollen.
Birds are wonderful spreaders of seeds and I suspect that between some of the strong winds we've been having, and the help of birds, at least a few seeds found their way into your yard!
i suppose it may have been in the birdseed mix - but it wouldn't have been intentional on their part. This is an agricultural weed, and lots of people are allergic to the pollen.
Birds are wonderful spreaders of seeds and I suspect that between some of the strong winds we've been having, and the help of birds, at least a few seeds found their way into your yard!
