Gardeners World

[SJN-Fox]

I know there are a few budding gardeners on here so I just thought I'd pick your brains, besides, it's international break time so it's slow on here.

Anyway, I discovered this plant whilst doing some tidying up in the garden over the weekend. I have no idea what it is, or where it came from. Does anyone know what it is? Is it a weed? Is it worth keeping?

(In order to preempt some of the more obvious answers, I know it's a plant and that it came from the ground).

 

[Macky]

Is it a weed? Is it worth keeping?

Surely that's subjective, only you can decide that

 

[Real Sharapova]

Surely that's subjective, only you can decide that

No, a poll is surely in order. Firstly though we have to see if we want 16 and 17 year olds to take part.

 

[Blaarev]

It's triffids

 

[Orifice]

Can you smoke the leaves in any way?

 

[FoxCovert]

Looks sort of familiar, my guess would be one of the euphorbia family. The bracht at the top of the plant looks like it should flower at some point or has gone over. Leave it a year and see what happens. If it doesn't do much or it spreads it might be a weed.
You could also try smoking some of the leaves and see what happens:icon_bigg

 

[FoxCovert]

Beat me to it Orifice

 

[FoxCovert]

Looks sort of familiar, my guess would be one of the euphorbia family. The bracht at the top of the plant looks like it should flower at some point or has gone over. Leave it a year and see what happens. If it doesn't do much or it spreads it might be a weed.
You could also try smoking some of the leaves and see what happens:icon_bigg

Looks like euphorbia griffithii or mellifera or possibly another type. If so cut it back before it gets frosty. Oh, and don't smoke the leaves.

 

[The Major]

My mothers got these in her garden, some sort of weed I think.

 

[Macky]

some sort of weed

There's no such thing as a "weed", there's just plants. Plants you do like and plants you don't like, nothing more.

 

[Matt_B]

There's no such thing as a "weed", there's just plants. Plants you do like and plants you don't like, nothing more.

Exactly. My garden is full of "weeds" and they've flowered better and longer than any other bought plants.

 

[SJN-Fox]

Thanks for those of you that pointed me towards Euphorbia. It looks like it might be the Moleplant Euphorbia lathyris.

http://www.about-garden.com/a/en/4168-euphorbia-lathyris-moleplant/

 

[doolochfox]

It's quite an striking plant. If you like it keep it, but in a few years time it'll be the only thing present in the garden. I cleared it from a friend's house this summer. It was 5ft+ high. If you decide to remove it wear goggles, gloves and a face mask.

 

[Mawsley]

There's no such thing as a "weed"