Pink Turtlehead seedling identification?

15 years ago

I was wondering if anyone would be able to describe what a Pink Turtlehead seedling (Chelone lyonii)might look like?

I found one image on the web after quite an extensive search. I think that it might be incorrect, after looking at other images of mature plants.

I have five "seedlings" coming up in a straight row with the fifth seedling being Lambsquarter for sure. I almost yanked them all out, but didn't after a couple weeks of debate (it seemed very suspicious that lambsquarter would be growing in a row.)

The seedlings all looked like lambequarter in the beginning but four are now starting to look slightly different - a slightly different color (more red) and a little less fuzz on the leaves.

Does anyone have any experience with these?

Thanks in advance!

Tim

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Comments (7)

morz8 - Washington Coast
15 years ago
This one looks right for chelone to me from those I've grown...I don't think anything resembling fuzz should be there.

The newly emerging Spring stems/shoots of established chelone plants can be quite red, not so much with the sprouting seedlings that I've noticed.

Here is a link that might be useful: Chelone
ramazz
15 years ago
I planted some out last weekend but didn't take a picture. I agree that mine were not fuzzy. If you want, I can take a picture of mine and post it.

Becky
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onetwothreetim
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you Morz8 and Becky.

This is looking hopeful...the link to the picture provided by Morz8 does look similar to mine, however I think that mine must be more mature (if mine are indeed Chelone.)

Becky, if you could take a picture without too much trouble I would appreciate it. I'll take one of mine and try to post it directly to this forum. I still haven't been able to figure out how this is done yet :)

One thing is for sure - the picture that I found on the Internet certainly is not Turtlehead. Just a warning to those ready to pull out unknown plants and going to the Internet for the last word.

I've always told my friends that you don't know all of your plants - you just have to know all of your weeds. This might not be the case if these are indeed Turtlehead.

Thanks for your help!
onetwothreetim
Original Author
14 years ago
Well, I figured out how to post a picture :)

I think that I flipped over again into thinking that these are lambsquarter seedlings. I don't know why they look different than the other ones that are popping up in various places. I'm still not going to pull them for a while though!

Anybody have a different opinion?

Thank you.
Tim
ramazz
14 years ago
Turtlehead just planted out

{{gwi:385981}}

Turtlehead from last year
{{gwi:385982}}
onetwothreetim
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you Becky.

Well, that pretty much settles it. Looks exactly like image that Morz8 linked for me. The different angles pretty much set me straight.

Looks like lambsquarter for dinner. :)

I wonder what the time difference between your zone (7b) and mine (5a) is? If you have plants that far along I certainly should have sprouts (I would think).

It has been a cold spring here in PA though.....

Regards,
Tim
ramazz
14 years ago
Don't give up yet. I really didn't think mine was going to sprout this year. Those 3 you see are the only ones I got.

Becky

Pink Turtlehead seedling identification?

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morz8 - Washington Coast

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Pink Turtlehead seedling identification?

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