2 plants to identify

I got 2 new plants that i need to identify

one is a tall skinny plant that i jokingly told my wife that we ought to hang xmas ornaments on it when the time comes cause it reminds me of tree with no leaves. its baout 5ft tall now.

the 2nd plant doesnt look too bad so i kept it

thanks

 

1- Verbena bonariensis?

 

dont think so but thanks

here are 2 more pics taken with a better cam

the tall stick plant has not bloomed and it barley has any leaves on it

 

south texas plants

bump^ from page 2

 

They look like weedy composite, not that that's much help.
Flowers are the only sure way and even then it can be difficult
with so many different composites in this state.

Regards
Chris

 

what if I took an extreme up close picture? would that help?

 

Nope! Patience Grasshopper. :-)

Regards
Chris

 

I havent seen the stick plant at all anywhere but the other one is pretty common in my area.

thanks for your help

 

the stick plant has bloomed

the flowers are about half an inch wide and are growing at the tips. The plant now stands about 6ft tall.

 

Looks like some kind of aster.

 

Aster gracilis?
http://twig.tamu.edu/Slender_Aster_Aster_gracilis_DSCN5542.JPG
http://twig.tamu.edu/Slender__Aster_Aster_gracilis_DSCN5544.JPG

HTH
Chris

 

looks like some kinda aster but from the searching I did I couldnt find one that looked like mine as far as the whole stick like stature.