Knowledgebase

Is this a weed? (Didn't see it in your database.) #583234

Asked July 24, 2019, 6:00 PM EDT

My neighbor has several of these volunteer plants in her garden this year and isn't sure if they are weeds. She doesn't have internet so I'm submitting two photos on her behalf. They are each about 3-4 feet tall. We both suspect they are some sort of thistle because of height and leaf shape, but the flower buds are a cluster type and appear white and the leaves have no hair or thorns. She's lived her all of her life (over 60 years) and has never seen this plant before.

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

Hello and thank you for helping your neighbor send a questions. Yes, this is a weed. I am still working on finding the exact name in my resources. It's good to pull them before they flower and set seed. I'll send a note when I can name  it. 
An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 25, 2019, 9:39 AM EDT
Thx! I’ll let her know. We both look forward to its id when you discover it. 
The Question Asker Replied July 25, 2019, 9:43 AM EDT
Here is the name of the weed and a link. Known as American burnweed, fireweed or pilewort. 

http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=637


An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 25, 2019, 5:42 PM EDT
Fascinating! Thanks. 
The Question Asker Replied July 25, 2019, 8:29 PM EDT

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