I hope someone might tell me what this plant is. This is a picture of a leaf. It seemed to be growing as a vine from a large old main "stump". I was clearing out some brush and found it there and thought the leaf looked very specific. The old woody vine it was growing from was very thick..about the size of a broom handle..but not much growing from it other than this one small sprout, probably because it had been covered with overgrowth. I was clearing the area a bit to allow some passiflora incarnata to do better. But I have no idea if this even has flowers or anything. I just thought it was an odd looking leaf and I'd like to know what it is before I dig it up. It might be something I want to keep. I live in south Louisiana in an area that is on the edge of town, more rural than city. It was growing in an area with lots of old honeysuckle, passionflowers and various other overgrown natives. Thanks ahead of time.
Bitter melon or Momordica charantia? If so leaves without shine. Thought the shiny appearance might be due to being under cellophane. If so see this thread for discussion and picture comparison links. Harry
Thank you Harry but don't think that's it. My leaf is about 4 inches by 3 inches. It also was sprouting from a large (for a vine) "stump"...the two trunks being about the size of a broom stick. The leaves are not shiny...I suppose I should've taken the pic with it outside of the ziplock bag. It's shape looks very familiar but can't place it. Thanks anyway. Will keep searching. Cyn
Now that's interesting. Because I have just identified a couple of plants in that same area as white mulberry. The plants I know are that, are about 5 ft tall and well leafed out. But I know white mulberry does have varied leaf shapes. Perhaps what I thought was a vine coming from that large stump was simply a new growth on the original old plant? This leaf just looked so specific. But, if I leave it to see how and if it sprouts out some more, I'll know. It could indeed be the original mother white mulberry. Thanks for the info. I appreciate it. Now I will wait and see. Cyn
Correction. I think the plants I have are red mulberry, and it is described as leaves "lobes being unbalance". This one leaf seems to be perfectly symetrical, in that it has five lobes, but the top is not like the two lower ones...and the two lower ones are identical to the other side. Not much to go on I suppose...no flowers and just a few leaves. Back to my searching...
Could easily be white mulberry. The leaves are incredibly variable. I was going to suggest the same thing Ron did. FWIW, it's very common for white mulberry to grow in fencerows and next to houses (where they don't get mowed down). Then later in the year the owner cuts them flush and leaves a stump. Then the stump resprouts. Very persistantly! So that part fits your description.
Thanks everyone. So I'm going to guess white mulberry. I was more familiar with the red, and knew the leaves varied a lot on one plant. So I'll keep this old stump and see what happens. Guess it just looked like a vine, old as it was. And also considering all the vines I had been battling trying to clear some of that space (without taking too much bird cover away). I appreciate the help!
Oooh, good call, weedbender! Here we have Ampelopsis cordata instead, so I didn't even think of that one. Another very weedy and persistant critter!
Excellent weedbender! Thanks so much. I just didn't know where to start searching as all I had was a few leaves on a sprout. So...I'll search...but..is this a good thing or a bad thing? LOL! Perhaps clearing out the area around it might not have been such a good idea..haha. Thanks again. Cyn
Uggh. Just a quick search and it seems I have two types of that particular vine. One of them (with the heart shaped leaves) has completely covered any tree within it's reach. Trying to find the main plant is the only way, then pulling them out. I don't think I want to risk adding another wild vine to the pot. We already have honeysuckle out of control, which I love because of the scent, but it too has taken over. Thanks all of you for your help.
Best of luck zdelle, It's an extremely tough customer to get rid of. You may have to settle for controling it.
