The Ideas Genie Community Forum

Plants => Plant ID questions => Topic started by: ideasguy on June 28, 2009, 12:30:01 AM

Title: What have we here?
Post by: ideasguy on June 28, 2009, 12:30:01 AM

This grassy plant appeared out of nowhere last year.
Its rather pretty, but I'm suspicious.
Any idea what it is?
Dont be confused by the strap like leaves just behind it (a Day Lilly)

I cleared all the dead Narcissus leaves from this area today, and there it was.

 

Title: Re: What have we here?
Post by: Palustris on June 28, 2009, 09:11:01 AM

Check out Briza maxima, an annual grass.

Title: Re: What have we here?
Post by: ideasguy on June 28, 2009, 10:07:42 AM

Thats it Eric, thank you so much.

Ive surfed on that name and the odd thing is, I haven't located any photos showing anything like the "spike" in my second photo.
Is it a stage in its growth cycle?
Theres only one spike, and unfortunately I cut it accidentally.
Last year there were numerous spikes.

Next question. It self seeds, but does it self seed badly?

Title: Re: What have we here?
Post by: Palustris on June 28, 2009, 10:47:45 AM

Never grown it so no idea about 'weediness' sorry.
The spike could be from another grass, there is one called Hare's Tail (cannot remeber the proper name at present) which has similar flower spikes.

Title: Re: What have we here?
Post by: roiphil on June 28, 2009, 07:07:42 PM

Quote from: ideasguy on June 28, 2009, 10:07:42 AM

Thats it Eric, thank you so much.

Ive surfed on that name and the odd thing is, I haven't located any photos showing anything like the "spike" in my second photo.
Is it a stage in its growth cycle?
Theres only one spike, and unfortunately I cut it accidentally.
Last year there were numerous spikes.

Next question. It self seeds, but does it self seed badly?

the spike could be Hordeum jubatum squirrel tail grass http://www.ideasforgardens.net/gardenplantsbypost/postal_plants0035.htm (http://www.ideasforgardens.net/gardenplantsbypost/postal_plants0035.htm)

briza maxima
http://www.plantae.ca/Plantae/Poaceae/Briza%20maxima.jpg (http://www.plantae.ca/Plantae/Poaceae/Briza%20maxima.jpg)


briza media http://www.ideasforgardens.net/gardenplantsbypost/postal_plants0011.htm

Title: Re: What have we here?
Post by: ideasguy on June 28, 2009, 11:37:39 PM

RE: The spike in the second photo

Hare?s-tail grass (Lagurus ovatus) looks close Eric.
Heres a photo and where its offered:
http://www.thompson-morgan.com/seeds1/product/9863/1.html
Looking at various photos on the net, they look wide at the bottom and narrow at the top.
My sample seed head looks a bit longer. Its about 3.5ins long, thin at bottom, thickest about 2/3rds along length then tapers to a point.

It dont look like this:
http://www.naturespic.com/i/26741PI00_w.jpg
on this site:
http://www.naturespic.com/newzealand/image.asp?id=26741

Its not Hordeum jubatum Phil. Not as squirrel tailed as yours. Nice grass  8)
Not Briza maxima or Briza media

Title: Re: What have we here?
Post by: ideasguy on June 29, 2009, 11:39:37 PM

RE: The spike in the second photo

Did more surfing and found a photo of Hare's tail (Lagurus ovatus ) which looks very close to my "specimen":
http://www.culmviewnursery.co.uk/body__grasses.html
Well done, you know your grasses, Eric!

Case solved. Thanks to all for your suggestions.