Knowledgebase

Are these plants worth keeping? #752568

Asked May 27, 2021, 3:39 PM EDT

Hi - The attached two photos are of plants/weeds on the edge of our woods. Are they some type of noxious weed, invasive plant or a native plant worth keeping? I haven't been able to identify them using the MN Extension tools and a couple books I have that include native plants. Thanks! Kathy Kletscher

Dakota County Minnesota

Expert Response

Photo 1 is bitter nightshade Solanum dulcamara

Photo 2 is a seedling boxelder Acer negundo
An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 27, 2021, 9:23 PM EDT

A belated thanks for the information!  Should we keep or pull the nightshade plants?  My wildflower book doesn’t indicate that it’s invasive and I can’t find anything definitive on the state web sites.

 

Thanks again,

Kathy

 

From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2021 8:24 PM
To: kmkletscher <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Are these plants worth keeping? (#0022499)

 

The Question Asker Replied June 05, 2021, 1:10 PM EDT

Bittersweet nightshade is a climber with interesting flowers and bright red fruit.  However, most people consider it a weed and pull it on sight.

https://www.bbg.org/news/weed_of_the_month_bittersweet_nightshade

It's not native to Minnesota.

https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/bittersweet-nightshade

An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 05, 2021, 2:11 PM EDT

Loading ...