The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Growing => Identification => Topic started by: Westyardfarm on August 16, 2016, 11:40:42 am

Title: What is this weed?
Post by: Westyardfarm on August 16, 2016, 11:40:42 am
Hello all, can anyone tell me what this weed is.  It's generally up to 15cm high with small green leaves and pale purple flowers. Both the sheep and the ponies seem to ignore it even when hungry. Looks quite herb like. Do I get the Grazon out or just leave it?
Title: Re: What is this weed?
Post by: doganjo on August 16, 2016, 11:59:41 am
Don't know but I've got it too.  It's quite pretty but I don't have anything other than hens and ducks in that area and they aren't eating it either
Title: Re: What is this weed?
Post by: Fleecewife on August 16, 2016, 12:05:25 pm
It does look herby.  If you crush the leaves does that release a scent?
Title: Re: What is this weed?
Post by: muddypuddle on August 17, 2016, 10:11:52 am
I have this too! My horses won't eat it, this year it seems to have spread a lot! I would be interested to know what it is.

Title: Re: What is this weed?
Post by: clydesdaleclopper on August 17, 2016, 11:49:20 am
can you get a close up of the flowers as I couldn't see them in enough detail. My first thought is that it might be Prunella Vulgaris (Self heal)
Title: Re: What is this weed?
Post by: Westyardfarm on August 17, 2016, 02:18:52 pm
Don't know but I've got it too.  It's quite pretty but I don't have anything other than hens and ducks in that area and they aren't eating it either
Doesn't smell aromatic at all when crushed.
Title: Re: What is this weed?
Post by: winkhound on August 17, 2016, 06:22:29 pm
looks like a parasitic figwort call Red Barista to me. Good luck getting rid of the annoying stuff!
Title: Re: What is this weed?
Post by: philcaegrug on August 21, 2016, 09:26:29 pm
Yes It's red bartsia.  It popped up with us a few years ago out of nowhere. It's easy to pull up and after two seasons it seems to have gone from our land only the occasional one popping up where I dumped them.
Title: Re: What is this weed?
Post by: Westyardfarm on August 25, 2016, 09:29:21 pm
Thanks for identification. I can put the rag fork away and get busy pulling this instead.