skip to main content

The Kitchen Table

Lady's Thumb, one of my favorite weeds

schoolhouse_gwagain

5 years ago

I used to have Lady's Thumb growing below the garden gate but have not seen it this year. Apparently it disappeared when the gate posts were dug up and reset a couple of summers ago. However, I found a large patch of it along the edge of the field behind my house after I cut down some brush. Here's is a link I found about LT: https://www.newlifeonahomestead.com/ladys-thumb-weed/

Featured Answer

schoolhouse_gwagain
Original Author

5 years ago

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

dedtired
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
To quote Emerson ”What is a weed? a plant whose virtue has not yet been discovered.” These are lovely in your vase. Look like you have discovered its virtue.
Related Discussions
One of my favorite
Q
Comments (20)
Marquest, now that you explained your day, maybe it's not so exciting. (: And when did the airlines start charging for luggage? 3am is rather early. I'd be a zombie, lol. Your terrorist comment is funny, but sad. It's too bad we live on a planet where violent, insane people deem bombs, toys. In the meantime, because of their ignorance, other ppl have to suffer. Still, I'd rather be safe than sorry. I prefer land anyway, too bad cars won't drive on water, huh? lol Are you allowed to stay in one place more than a day? 129---140..Yeah, I can see how they made this mistake. NOT! I've thought about that too..what other contries consider weeds, we can't wait to get hold of one, and often pay dearly.. Wonder if anyone is interested in Dandilions?? Maybe we can start a business, sell Dandy's overseas? lol Marquest, I have a question you might be able to answer. There's a plant I want..the problem is location. Seller says she lives in, Borneo Malaysia. Aren't they two different countries? And far from each other? But let's say it's Malaysia.. Shipping is 8.5 pounds. Do you know how to convert 8.5 pounds to USD? If so, what is the answer? Now that math time is over, let's talk plants..lol Mike..When I look at a picture of plants, I study the entire photo. Background, sides, etc..lol. Never know what you'll find..lol.. One reason I miss real cameras that take instant pics. You wouldn't believe the number of plant pics I have..lol..It's nice going back. Finding a plant long gone, an old pot, knick-knack, furniture, etc. Besides, I love looking at others' plants..lol..Toni
...See More
My Favorite Lady
Q
Comments (36)
York Rose, I know several people here who has LH in exposed location. It all unfortunately depend on spraying. If the rose is kept healthy going into winter, it gets very little dieback even in exposed location. If it was defoliated from BS most of the summer, her chances in winter are much more grim.So unfortunately this rose in my climate requires spraying to stay alive. I am trying to switch to no spray garden and it kills me to know that my LH most probably will decline. It is so big that this will tike some time, but I know too well what will happen. My sister and two of my friends tried to grow it here no spray. No more LH in their gardens. Olga
...See More
One of my favorite Foundlings
Q
Comments (25)
Ouch, Kim! I've never been to Buffalo, but did drive through Upstate NY on my way to Canada, and that area is too, too gorgeous in the summer. I'll take a pass on the shivery, shovel-y winter stuff, though... We survived our freeze pretty well- it might have dipped into the 20's here, but there wasn't much ice on the bird baths when I went out to put hot water in them, so I'm not sure. We do tend to have slightly milder weather than surrounding areas, and I am grateful for that. It still isn't above freezing yet, but the sun's coming up, so that should change. Virginia
...See More
Lamb's Quarters: My new favorite vegetable (or weed)
Q
Comments (23)
Robin, I only use the leaves of the purslane, and I also use young tender leaves of lambsquarter. Like you, I don't care for dandelion greens, although Grandma used to wilt them with hot bacon grease and serve them. She said they had to be young and tender or they'd be bitter. I think they're bitter anyway, although I did make dandelion blossom wine a couple of times when I was younger. It was intensely sweet, I remember, and my brother drank a couple of quarts and got sick. Serves him right, the glutton. I've eaten May Apples, though I was very strictly forbidden to eat the seeds or rind, being told those parts are poisonous. I don't know if it's true, but I don't think Grandpa would say that for no reason. The fruit is sweet and not unpleasant, but custardy and odd. My favorite were the little bright red wintergreen berries, tasting like Pepto-bismol, there weren't enough to do anything except snack. I make jelly from foraged elderberries and pick blackberries in the national forest, but those are easy and readily available and identifiable. I do hunt morels but not very hard because I don't like them, LOL. We have tons of black walnuts here but no one wants them, they're messy and a PIA to crack. Now you've got me wishing that old crab apple tree was still here, the state widened the road and the tree was gone. Annie
...See More
cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
5 years ago
Gosh, schoolhouse, I never thought of putting the persicaria in a vase. Lovely. I pull it out because it isn't a native and is invasive here, but I may have to leave a little to bring inside. My granddaughter will love picking it!
rob333 (zone 7b)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Incredibly invasive, productive, um, prodigious plant. You can have mine.
schoolhouse_gwagain
Original Author
5 years ago
My patch by the gate never did much. It just stayed in a small clump year after year. But I did find some in a flower border once, but it didn't come back the following year.
matthias_lang
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Isn't that a polygonum rather than persicaria?
rob333 (zone 7b)
5 years ago
mathias,

I'm in total agreement
lily316
5 years ago
They're all over the trail. I noticed them today.
laceyvail 6A, WV
5 years ago
I think Polyganum and Persicaria may be somewhat confused/shifting genera. Gardengal would know more, I think.
woodrose77
5 years ago
It's an invasive weed here, too. It can look very pretty in a large patch, or covering a field, especially early in the morning.
raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio
5 years ago
I never knew that was its name

From the linked site: Lady’s Thumb has been used in herbal healing remedies by Native Americans for hundreds of years.

If the plant didn't arrive until the mid 1800s ( as that site also says) this seems highly unlikely - but is a claim that you always find on medicinal/edible plant websites...
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 years ago
laceyvail is correct. The taxonomy of the entire Polygonaceae is a bit of a shape-shifting minefield! It has been in a state of flux for the last 25-30 years and I can't keep up with it. Endlessly confusing. 🥴 Generally, if you go with the genus you are most familiar with re: a specific plant, it is likely that it will at least be an accepted synonym. Case in point......Polygonum persicaria is an accepted synonym of Persicaria maculosa, aka lady's thumb.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Houzz Call: What’s Your Favorite Backyard Beauty?

By Stacy Briscoe

The simple, honest daisy is this writer’s go-to garden flower. We want to hear which plant, flowering or otherwise, gives you special joy

KITCHEN DESIGN 5 Favorite Granites for Gorgeous Kitchen Countertops

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

See granite types from white to black in action, and learn which cabinet finishes and fixture materials pair best with each

FALL GARDENING 20 Favorite Flowers for the Fall Landscape

By Marianne Lipanovich

Vivid blooms and striking shapes make these annuals and perennials a delight in autumn gardens

HOUSEPLANTS Pilea May Be Your Next Favorite Houseplant

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Charming Pilea peperomioides, also called pancake plant or Chinese money plant, makes a big impact with little effort

GARDENING GUIDES Zen Weeding: The Smart Way to Weed Your Garden

By Susan J Tweit

Be mindful about keeping weeds from taking hold in your yard by knowing when and how to get rid of each type

GARDENING GUIDES American Lady Butterflies Add Delight to Summer Gardens

By Pollination Press LLC

Provide native nectar and larval host plants to welcome these migratory butterflies

EDIBLE GARDENS Natural Ways to Get Rid of Weeds in Your Garden

By Abundant City

Use these techniques to help prevent the spread of weeds and to learn about your soil

FARM YOUR YARD Houzz Call: Show Us Your One-of-a-Kind Chicken Coops

By Annie Thornton

Do you have a fun or stylish backyard shelter for your feathered friends? Post your pictures and stories in the Comments!

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Get Your Green Thumb on With Gardening Gear

By House of Earnest

Go for growth with gardening tools and accessories that make yard or windowsill plantings a breeze

PETS World of Design: Pampered Pets and Their 10 One-of-a-Kind Homes

Fall in love with these critters and their clever living spaces, from a cat playground in France to a chicken house in the U.S.

Sponsored

Wannemacher Interiors

26 Reviews

Customized Award-Winning Interior Design Solutions in Franklin Cnty OH

More Discussions

How to clean iron deposits off of metal? Update: Problem solved!

17

Fresh herbs that aren't worth the effort

29

I'll show you mine/ysmy - T 9/8

20

Smile today 9/8

4

Thursday's Daily Quiz

0