JandM Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 I'm looking for help with identifying something that's new to me. Over the last couple of years I've been clearing our part gravel, part tarmac, part mud driveway of weeds with three-monthly doses of glyphosate. It's mainly worked - all the perennial stuff has gone, including the couch grass - and I can see the ground now.However, a new weed has appeared that I've never seen before that has spread like wildfire across all the drive, the terracing and has even appeared in cracks in the walls. Because I didn't have the wit to take a photo when I was there (I'm back in the UK now), I'll have to describe it: it's a succulent or semi-succulent, more or less prostrate, with pinkish-red stems about the thickness of a pencil that grow out like the spokes of a wheel. It has small rounded leaves and tiny yellow flowers. In all, it forms a low mound with a diameter of about 40 cms. It has a taproot about 15 cms long. Anyone else got this, and any idea what it is, and why it has appeared so suddenly? James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulT Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Could this be it?http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/environmentplanning/natural_environment/biodiversity/japanese_knotweed/identifyjapknot.htmand if it is you have a very big problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patf Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 I thought of japanese knotweed too Paul, hope it isn't.It could also be purslane - look in Google. I would give the link but my links don't work on here.It's very invasive, we have lots of it. The only positive thing about it is that it has shallow roots so is easy to pull up.Supposed to be edible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre ZFP Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Could be one of the sedums (of which there are many.This is quite a good site to identifying plantshttp://www.fleurs-des-champs.com/reconnaitre-une-fleur.htmljust plug in your observations and off you go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekJ Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 [quote user="Pierre ZFP"]Could be one of the sedums (of which there are many.This is quite a good site to identifying plantshttp://www.fleurs-des-champs.com/reconnaitre-une-fleur.htmljust plug in your observations and off you go[/quote]That looks a useful website.... thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whatdayisit? Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 I used to have a lot of that, but the glysophate got rid of it.As already said, may be purslane but I don't want it on our drive!S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basquesteve Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 I agreehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portulaca_oleraceaIt keeps popping up but regular glysophate will do it in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JandM Posted October 4, 2014 Author Share Posted October 4, 2014 Thanks all for the suggestions. Having looked up purslane, that's definitely what it is. Having now read up on it a bit, I do wonder if I should be poisoning it, rather than eating it - seems it's some kind of superfood. Lucky me. I'm so glad it's not Japanese knotweed, which I'm well familiar with that from a previous garden. That plant will survive the nuclear holocaust along with cockroaches Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoddy Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 It's eaten quite a lot in my little corner of France. I have tried it it but I don't care for it. I suppose a few bits in a mixed salad might be OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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