Solved Plant or weed?

Discussion in 'Identification Area' started by Oldman2, Aug 24, 2025.

  1. Oldman2

    Oldman2 Gardener

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    Its got flower heads that look like they will be yellow, I have a few around the beds. Ident please anyone before it goes in the bin?
    upload_2025-8-24_12-35-8.jpeg
     
  2. SherwoodArrow

    SherwoodArrow Gardener

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    Common Fleabane?
    It's definitely a plant! Weather you consider it to be a weed or wildflower is up to you :biggrin:.
     
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    • Escarpment

      Escarpment Total Gardener

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      I thought fleabane but that has downy leaves, and the ones in the photo don't look downy (though it's hard to tell).
       
    • waterbut

      waterbut Gardener

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      A weed is a plant in the wrong place.
       
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      • NigelJ

        NigelJ Total Gardener

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        And a plant is a weed in the right place, so.
         
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        • waterbut

          waterbut Gardener

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          And a weed is a plant in the right place as in a wild garden.
           
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          • Stephen Southwest

            Stephen Southwest Gardener

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            Do you like it?

            If you do, it's not a weed.
             
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            • fairygirl

              fairygirl Total Gardener

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              I think that any plant, whether it gets classed as a plant or a weed, comes down to how well your site suits both it - and you. Many cultivated plants are invasive, so become a massive problem, whereas many 'weeds' are quite well behaved!
               
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              • Oldman2

                Oldman2 Gardener

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                I am going to give it a few days to flower, then take a better photo. We have a guinea pig and he might like them to eat but I don't want to kill him with kindness.
                 
              • Silver surfer

                Silver surfer PLANTAHOLIC

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                Pulicaria dysenterica...common name Common fleabane.
                Quote RHS..
                "A distinctly downy perennial 50-90cm tall, with creeping rhizomes and slightly heart-shaped, wavy-edged leaves that clasp the stems. Woolly flowering stems reach up to 1m in height with clusters of flat, yellow, daisy-like flower heads with short ray petals and are borne from midsummer to early autumn"

                Quote www...
                "Common fleabane is an attractive, native perennial of the daisy family. It is a distinctly downy, almost woolly plant that grows to about 1m and has lanceolate wavy edged leaves"

                Common Fleabane | NatureSpot

                it doesn't grow in Scotland.
                I do not have any pics but have looked online and found these clear leaf pics.
                Wait a second or 2 for pics to click in.

                pulicaria dysenterica leaf - Recherche Google

                Pulicaria dysenterica, LEAF - Recherche Google
                 
              • infradig

                infradig Total Gardener

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                NOT suitable for guinea pigs due to its toxicity; find it some dandelions ,plantain or nettles !
                 
              • Oldman2

                Oldman2 Gardener

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                upload_2025-8-31_9-59-49.jpeg Pleased to be able to say you were all correct, it would appear to be common Fleabane and it can stay while it flowers. The guinea pig has moved on to its owners new home on an estate with postage stamp garden and a small lawn that is totally free of anything other than grass, pretty boring really. Many thanks again for the ID.
                 
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