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Is this a plant or a weed?

Aquitane, France Fr

I have these popping up all around the garden and I'm not sure if they are a weed or a plant. They grow to over 6ft tall and have very deep purple stems in summer and also produce deep purple berries. Does anybody know what they are? I've added a photo of the flowers on it.



Weed_3

Answers

 

It looks very much like a weed Frenchbean. bit concerned that because of its size and colour it could be knotweed which is very invasive and difficult to eradicate. Does it grow very quickly and have frothy white flowers in a panicle?. Try googling it. Hope Im wrong

6 Jun, 2009

 

You've given me a starting point -thanks for that Mageth.

6 Jun, 2009

 

it isnt japanese knotweed, it doesnt produce seed as the victorians only imported the female plant. is the flower spike in the picture part of the plant? as yet know idea but i will see if i can find out.

6 Jun, 2009

 

Yes the flower is produced by the plant and then later a cluster of deep purple berries appear. I've looked at images of Japanese knotweed on google but I'm not convinced it is that, the stems look similar but the flowers are different.

6 Jun, 2009

 

is it a 'Pokeweed' the flower is similar?

6 Jun, 2009

 

BINGO!! Just googled 'Pokeweed' and thats it - THANKYOU Seaburngirl. It's says that they are edible and also poisonous if not cooked properly so I won't be trying that! Now do I kill it or keep it?.....

6 Jun, 2009

 

as it is so statuesque i'd always keep a bit and compost the rest. i always keep an odd plant if it does something usual. [glad my memory was ok but cant remember its latin name]

6 Jun, 2009

 

Think seaburn is right. on this new photo you can see that the leaves are longer and not heart shaped like the knotweeds. Sorry for any panic

6 Jun, 2009

 

oops got there brfore me

6 Jun, 2009

 

The latin name is (Phytolacca americana) according to Google.
I think I will keep some but most will have to go as they are growing in all the wrong places. Thanks to you both for helping me!

6 Jun, 2009

 

I was told once that a weed is only a plant in the wrong place!

7 Jun, 2009

 

Unfortunately I have an awful lot of 'plants in the wrong places' at the moment Chris.

7 Jun, 2009

 

A weed is something you dont like! lol

7 Jun, 2009

How do I say thanks?

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