Can anyone please help me to identify this plant? It is about 5 feet tall and is continuing to grow. No flowers as of yet. It's leaves are similar to maple tree leafs, but I am quite sure this is not a sapling. But I am open to suggestions. Thank you for any help ya'll can offer. See pics for more details.
Could it possibly be Rudbeckia laciniata? http://www.missouriplants.com/Yellowalt/Rudbeckia_laciniata_page.html
Do you not have Giant Ragweed out west? Surprised at the different responses. This one's a well-known weed here. Too bad about the pollen, though, because it's actually quite a nice foliage plant. Gets VERY tall.
cant be rudbeckia... wat your talking about is sweet black eyed susan and the leaves never get that big!
Welllll.......that's not exactly true. Rudbeckia laciniata actually has leaves every bit as big as those of giant ragweed. I was just out at the farm and was thinking of this thread as I was comparing the two plants. The difference has to do with the texture and shape of the leaves, not the size of them.
I am preparing to withdraw the suggestion that it might be Rudbeckia laciniata... not based on leaf size/texture/shape, however. From the little detailed description I can find on the internet, Rudbeckia laciniata is said to have alternate leaves, while the pictured plant has opposite leaves in all the leaf bunches where it can be clearly seen. So unless it is possible that R. laciniata may have opposite basal leaves, becoming alternate up the stem, it would appear not to be that. What say the experts?
If you've ever seen these two plants in person, there is no doubt of the correct ID. R. laciniata doesn't form a basal rosette. Ambrosia trifida Rudbeckia laciniata (BTW, abgardeneer, glad to see you over here!)
Okay... uncle. (PS Thank you for the welcome, Ginger Blue! I assume our paths must have crossed on GardenWeb at some time...)
