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Gardening in the UK

Can anyone help me identify this weed please?

13 years ago

Hi there. i have just moved house. And in the garden of my new place I noticed this well established weed. It is about 12-15 feet tall. For one horrible moment I thought it was the dreaded Knotweed but it does not have the distinctive "zig-zag' leave formations and the leaves appear to be narrower. Plus there is no evidence of the white flowers Knotweed has.

Is it pokeweed? Where the plant is hanging over the neighbouring property I noticed a small bunch of black berries which I believe Pokeweeds have. But there was only this one small bunch on the plant. They had not appeared anywhere else.

Any advice on what it may be and how to get rid of it would be greatly appreciated. Annoyingly it is growing in a tiny gap between the fence and the garden wall so I fear the fence may have to be taken down to get to it's roots!

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Comments (7)

crazylady
13 years ago
I know nothing about Pokeweed, but it isn't common here in the UK. Could your plant be Elder, Sambucus nigra? That definitely has bunches of small black berries at this time of year.

There's quite a good description on the link.

Here is a link that might be useful: British Trees info on Elder
discoqueen
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you so much for your post. I couldn't get ehe link you kindly posted to work but I goggled the plant and it looks like it could indeed be the right one. What is strange is that there is just one bunch of berries on the whole plant. Perhaps more will appear!

I'm posting a pic here- apologies for the quality but I only had my camera phone on me plus as much of the plant is over in my neighbours garden I can't get access to get close up!

Thanks again.
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I agree with m1shmosh. This isn't intended as a slight at anyone. But I think the biggest weakness on this board is correct weed identification. I don't know all the weeds. But I know Poa annua when I see it. That first one is Poa Annua. I've no idea on the 2nd picture. For what it is worth, one of the easiest ways to ID Annual Rye (AKA Italian Rye) is it tends to have a purplish red color at the base of the plant. Identifying Characteristics: The auricles that occur in the collar regions distinguishes this grass from other similar weeds, as relatively few grass weeds have this feature. Additionally, the red-tinged base of annual ryegrass helps to distinguish this weed from perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), which is very similar in growth habit and appearance. This url provides more information on Annual Rye.
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Nice, and really unique. You will just have to keep your eyes open for something that will work with that. Take the measurements down for what will work, you may get lucky and find something. The mirrors got separated on those vanities for hanging separately or just got broken. If you can find something maybe a simple round mirror with a black frame would work hanging on the wall above it. Before you try and strip and refinish check out re-amalgamation of varnish finishes. Google term or go to YouTube. Hint, if you can use this technique do it with a light hand if you want to retain patina. Also, don't remove patina from the drawer handles, just remove and give them a good scrub with soap and water. Here is one of many videos...I've used what is called mineral spirits, it's called whatever the guy uses in England, same stuff. Just check out YouTube videos. https://youtu.be/F9SsSF1Qv_Q Maybe not even use steel wool as this guy recommends. First try a gentle approach with a white cotton cloth dipped in mineral spirits. The process basically disolves the varnish, removes some, then the varnish re-hardens/drys. It happens rather quickly too. That is if it's natural varnish that was used, which is more likely than not. Doing a test spot will quickly tell you if it is varnish rather than polyurethane, basically nothing much will happen to finish if poly.
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vetivert8
13 years ago
The leaves and wood of elder have a somewhat unpleasant smell, which is easy to check for.

And, as the link info says - the stems are hollow.

Fairly easy to remove as it is not deep-rooting, though the roots do spread widely. Better to remove it entirely as it will resprout from the stump.

If there are other elders nearby you are guaranteed more because the birds will bring seeds to your garden.

Makes an 'interesting' jam from the black berries teamed with apples. Sort of a strong toffee flavour. (I don't think it was my jam-making...;-) )
discoqueen
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for this. I will go and have a sniff of it! And also a tap of the stems. Removal is going to be tricky as it is growing out of the ground in the narrowest of gaps between the wall and a fence that the previous owners put up in front of the wall.

No sign of any similar plants nearby....yet!

I love Elderfower cordial so if it is still there next year I may look for a recipe for that :)
flora_uk
13 years ago
disocqueen - this is definitely elder. I have answered on your other thread (Name That Plant Forum)
daz1988
13 years ago
definitely elder tree super quick to grow need to remove the roots or treat with a suitable weed killer such as round up pro biotive i treat tree stumps and weeds as a living
daituom
13 years ago
If it`s growing in your neighbours garden you cannot kill or remove it without their permission. To do so would leave you open to charges of causing criminal damage. You are, however, allowed to trim the branches back to the fence. Technically you are supposed to offer this material back to the trees owner, but I`ve never bothered.

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