In The Garden: Large, long leafed plant with substantial roots growing like weed

There was a ton of these growing in my backyard, but I finally got around to pulling out all I could see. As shown in the picture, the leaves are the most prominent part of the plant, growing to at least 50cm long when mature. The stem actually doesn't grow far from the ground. I found them to be extremely hard to eradicate due to the deep, and substantial root system, which appears to be how they spread (I've never seen them flower). I've dug up roots up to 6cm thick, but they seem to break fairly easily. They're probably considered weeds, but I'd still like to know my enemy's name :-P

 

Armoracia rusticana, common name horseradish, check how the root smells to be sure.

 

Thanks! That definitely looks like it. The previous owner just let them grow out of control. To think I probably could've sold them at the market or something, because I must have thrown away like 40 pounds of that stuff!

 

Yes, you could. Or eat it yourself. There are many culinary uses for horseradish root Horseradish - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia and it is good for us. Too bad you didn't ask for identification earlier. No worry, though, it will be back ; -)