the plant leaf is shaped like a spear, with nobs along the outside edge. the flower is small white with a yellow centre. ( i think it has either 4 or 5 petals). it is quite aboundant in the garden. after the flower gets plinated the seed pod is small and seems to be full of seed. it grows to various height. it looks better than the potatoe patch. i think the root or peice of plant will reguvinate to a new plant of smaller size. therefore tilling would not be advised but please let me know on this if i am correct or not.
Might need a photo for this, I'm afraid. Another hint you might be able to give is if the crushed foliage has an odour. Wear gloves while doing this, though, since we can't be sure it isn't something that will irritate skin.
yes the plant has a distinct odour. and it was a bit irratant. the leave almost looks like the spearmint candy but a deeper green. will try to get a picture or will scan . i didnt think to grab a piece of plant to run. will get back to you
weed control hope this scan helps. the plant seems to be taking over the garden. it doesnt even allow chick weed to grow with it
Re: weed control well, it's definitely something in the Solanaceae (nightshade) family. If you google CalFlora or CalPhotos, you can search through photos to try your hand at ID (if you don't have a vegetation key like a Jepson or something...it really depends on your comfort with plant ID). Another good resource is CalIPC (california invasive plant council), which has a plethora of information and associated experts to ask. However, that weed is pretty common out here, so it shouldn't require a really advanced expert. You may want to check with your local chapter of the Native Plant Society. They are often composed of older adults who know A LOT about plants (many were employed as botanists or have been doing field work for decades).
Re: weed control Solanum dulcamera would be my guess, although the dried leaves make it unclear. At any rate, I'm sure the experts will be able to ID it.
Re: weed control I'm hoping that is Prince George, BC as the two species below are from "Flora of Pacific Northwest", and USDA Plants page Solanum search for WA. Solanum dulcamare usually has blue to purple flowers. Although white flowered individuals may exist, I couldn't find one on line in a cursory search nor have I ever seen one. Possibly S. nigrum or S. physalifolium (Synonym S. sarrachoides). If one of the latter two species, the berries will be dark blue/black. The berries of the Bittersweet Nightshade (S. dulcamara) are bright red. Harry
Re: weed control nope it is not a nightshade. the seed pods as the picture shows are green in color and they are smoth skin. all the flowers that i see in the area are white with yellow center. the scan is taken only a few hours from picking. i heard that there was an article in the prince george citizen the other day but i have not gotten a chanch to read yet to see if it was the same plant or not
Re: weed control Despite your confidence that it is not a Nightshade, I think many, including myself, would stick by the Solanum genus ID. The berries are not ripe yet and the leaves have wilted, making it difficult for a species ID. I think it's S. nigrum because leaf shape is correct, flower colour is correct, & berries are in racemes, not umbels. Simon
Re: weed control I agree with Simon, I have this weed in the garden also, yank it out before the seed drops, easy enough to remove.
(merged threads, original post might yield a few more clues to those who responded to the thread starting with the scan)
