In The Garden: Plant being dumped...

Discussion in 'Plants: Identification' started by Richard E Masson, May 18, 2019.

  1. Richard E Masson

    Richard E Masson Active Member

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    Last year in my capacity as a gardener I was asked to clear an area of domestic flower garden in Kent UK. Plants were to be thrown out. The plant in the three photos caught my eye as the leaves grow directly on stems that enter the earth. So I dug it up, put in a pot and kept it in the greenhouse over Winter. Now I see yellowing leaves and I guess the greenhouse is getting too hot and I need to plant it outside in the correct aspect.

    Can anyone ID this plant please?
     

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  2. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    It looks like rhubarb, Rheum rhabarbarum. But there is a look-alike called Arctium minus, common burdock, that is not edible.
    Are There Other Plants That Look Like Rhubarb?
    That page indicates that the burdock stems are hollow and leaves are fuzzy underneath.
     
  3. Silver surfer

    Silver surfer Generous Contributor 10 Years

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  4. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Acanthus. Spreads below ground - probably why they wanted to get rid of part or all of it.
     
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  5. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    Good, thanks. Acanthus wasn't even shown on my queries for rhubarb lookalikes. Maybe most plant people wouldn't consider them so similar.
     
  6. Richard E Masson

    Richard E Masson Active Member

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    Thank you all for your help.
    I had recently noticed in other gardens I am employed in that Acanthus has many ‘types ’ (if that is the correct word) of leaf and it also varies from very dark green to a light green but I did not tie up those thoughts with my this plant.
     

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