I'm wondering what this is.

Found it on a walk the other day. There was a bunch of it around, it seemed to be in the low and wet areas. To the top of the picture is the entrance/exit of a culvert.
It almost looks like the stalk is in segments. The larger leaves have a dark arrow pattern on them. I didn't touch or sniff it, I'm not a big fan of doing that - Dunno if it might give me a rash, or spike me with those sharp hairs (if it has any, I can't see any though).

Tried searching for an hour and I gave up LOL.



(Bonus points if you can identify that plant right behind it, the one with the complex leaf shapes)

-Ben

to ATP!

I'll take a guess. The main plant is a type of Polygonum/Smartweed and the for the bonus points I'll guess Ragweed.
(I have been known to be wrong. )

I agree, some type of Smartweed/Knotweed. Possible in the Persicaria genus. A lot of the Polygonums are a synonym of Persicaria but not all.

The one in front reminds me of Persicaria maculosa: https://gobotany.newenglandwil...

Color me greene, I also think smartweed and ragweed.

Frank, you are so funny.

Guess the good news is that Sekreuz doesn't have these growing in his garden so he won't have to be eradicating these plants.

Not the best picture, but I had something simiar growing in my yard, I bought it at Lowes one year and it was labled "Dragon's Tongue". It grew really fast and as you can see had white little blooms. I had it for several years, and it was not invasive for me, but the soil in this area was clay-like and a little dry up next to the east side of the house. I have since tried to find the plant again but with no luck. I guess I could mail order, but didn't want to spend that much. Anyway, I think this could be the same plant you seen? I understand you all are saying it is invasive?

Here is a pic again, this time up against the house where you can see it better in relation to the other plants. I did have to cut it back regularly.
The sweat bees here loved it. I don't think it was fragrant.

The smartweed in Sekreuz's picture is probably one of the native species which means, by definition, it can't be considered invasive. Many gardeners would, however, consider it to be a weed which is where the eradication comments are coming from I'd guess.

Even though it is native, it can still be invasive in a garden where most things need to be contained to a smaller area.

Gardeners commonly misuse the term that way, that's true. "Aggressive" would be a more accurate word.

Ahah, yes, it does look like smartweed!

Kent is right. Exactly what I thought. Invasive is very similar, yet still different than aggressive.

https://www.google.cz/search?q...

@Frillylily Your plant is persicaria Red Dragon. It's extremely easy to pull up and also easy to root in water.

As a quick reference, if leaves have a chevron & aren't a sterile cultivar, prolific seedlings can be expected.