Any idea what this first weed is? "Leaves of three" has me suspicious. The second flower is phlox-like but I have not been able to locate its name. I have checked the lists on my wildflower and flower seed packets of past years, Googling all the names for a match, with no luck. Thank you for any insight!
First one is something in the rose family. I agree with avens, but due to the roughness of the stem it might be rough avens, Geum virginianum, or some other Geum.
Thank you! The first one is definitely an Avens. I just went to look at it again, and it is indeed a Rough Avens. My apologies that the photo did not better capture the tiny flower petals. As to the other, I checked the link but I am stumped as to whether it is indeed a phlox. Does anyone know for certain? The flowers are very much phlox-like, though fewer, and the branching plants are super tall. I wondered if it was not phlox, if it might be a campion variety or a silene variety. I saw a photo of Silene antirrhina L. on the MissouriPlants website, and though it is definitely not this, it does have those dark viscid patches between nodes on parts of the branches. Does phlox do this? If it is a phlox, it is a paniculata, right? I ask because I would love to purchase some and place then en masse. Thank you for any insight!
Might be a species of Lychnis. Can't tell for sure though, due to the pic quality (try taking some pics in daylight without flash!).
Thank you for your suggestions. I Googled Lychnis and saw that it is associated with Catchflys. I just rechecked the seed packets that I had saved in my garden journal and found "Catchfly" in a "Bird Mix" collection planted in Spring 2005, so I am now thinking it is either a Lynchis, Silene or, least likely but in the same realm, Saponaria. These are all in the same Caryo (Pinks, carnation) category, with a website indication that it is the Lychnis that have sticky stems. Lychnis viscaris, German Catchfly does look a little like it, but those petals seemed fused. One website said Sopanrias have two 'styles' and Lychnis three, Silene five. Some of these flowers appear to have five. And "catchfly" is also associated with Silenes. Lychnis? Silene? Soapwort? Here are better photos and Here is what I can tell: Sticky area on stems between nodes. Leaves have a silvery-like coating that you can scratch off. No rosette at base. Five separate petals with little indent on each, making each petal look heart-like. Petals not fused. Plant does not appear to have clumping tendency. Soil is somewhat rich. Areas are full sun. Zone 4, NH.
I don't think they have 5 styles - it looks like two to me (are you confusing stamens with styles? see here. Look at the top of the seed capsule in the middle photo (in the top centre, just below the large mass of flowers) - I think there are only two there. However, it would be best if you could confirm, as the angle might be hiding some (or else take a pic with a macro-enabled camera or scan a flower with half the petals removed).
Oh, you are absolutely right. I was counting stamens. Upon looking at a flower again, there seems to be only one, if I am understanding style correctly, though I can see what you mean about it looking like two. Can it have just one? I cannot take closeups. The seed is lime green and reminds me of iris seeds. Thank you for your post. I will see if I can use the scanner for this tomorrow.
I've inspected further and now suspect there are three. Here is a scan, as I do not have a zoom camera. I'm afraid it may not be helpful. If anyone can indeed ID this as Lynchnis, or something other, it would be most appreciated. Otherwise, I can just collect seeds and/or look for a seed pack of "catchfly" which seem to be associated with all three types of plants. Many thanks to those who responded and/or can provide further insight.
just found out from Michael it is "silene Armeria" also know as "Sweet William catchfly" and "Not So Preet"
That's it!!!! I just Googled it, and sure enough, there it is!! Thank you everyone for your time. Appreciate this UBC service!
Hi Tess, Photo # 1 ..... I have the same plant in my garden. I am waiting for strawberries. I might be waiting a very long time. ?????
You are right, they do look somewhat strawberry-like. These plants, however, were very prickly. If you take a photo and post it in this forum, one of the experts can help you determine what you have. Good luck!
