Friend or foe?

Discussion in 'Plants: Identification' started by tuffytown, Apr 18, 2019.

  1. tuffytown

    tuffytown Active Member

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    I recently moved into a new house in arlington wa. This is coming up in one of the beds below a big Doug fir. About 2" across now, appears to have one to 2 small flower buds on each and is a single stem with small bulb.

    Should I let it stay?
     

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  2. Daniel Mosquin

    Daniel Mosquin Paragon of Plants UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    If no answer soon, monitor it and post a photo when it flowers.
     
  3. ginsenghamster

    ginsenghamster Active Member 10 Years

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    Trientalis borealis. Western Starflower. Native. Yup, little pink potato like tuber somewhat shaped like a swan.
     
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  4. tuffytown

    tuffytown Active Member

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    Thank you, will leave it be
     
  5. Margot

    Margot Renowned Contributor 10 Years

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    Keep in mind that Trientalis borealis spreads quite rapidly via underground rhizomes. This is charming when you want an unstructured, wild look in your garden but, if you like to confine plants to set areas, Starflower will not cooperate.
     
  6. ginsenghamster

    ginsenghamster Active Member 10 Years

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    True. It will spread, but we love the blanket of green it provides as a ground cover and the charming star-like pink flowers are much loved by bumblebees and other pollinators (and me). Drought tolerant, maintenance free.
     
  7. tuffytown

    tuffytown Active Member

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    Here it is blooming. The flowers do have a pink blush not showing up in the photos
     

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  8. ginsenghamster

    ginsenghamster Active Member 10 Years

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    Yup. Trientalis borealis.
     
  9. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Now Lysimachia borealis. Friend, keep.
     
  10. ginsenghamster

    ginsenghamster Active Member 10 Years

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    Funny. Give it a few years and the nomenclature will change back. I'll keep an eye on any new editions of Pojar to see if they changed the Genus.
     

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