Plant/Tree identification??

So, a few days ago while following my cat around outside of our home (she likes to "go" in the mulch...LOL!) I noticed a strange "plant/tree" that has popped up and is growing through our gravel drive on the edge of where our garage and mulch meet.

I don't know what it is, and furthermore, don't want to just senselessly kill it. I'm not TOO sure when it first rooted, but can trace back to not seeing it about a month ago.

It is about two feet tall now, and has big green leaves. The stem not skinny like you would expect for a "plant" and is probably about a "quarters" size in diameter.

There are little buds/pod thingies that are shooting up now, too, that remind me of lilac before it blooms...sort of a long thing with lots of tiny little "buds" on it...

Anyone know what the heck this might be? It blew in from somewhere, and I'm not native to here, nor did I pay much attention in biology and science!

Also, if anyone DOES know what this is, any suggestions for where to transplant it where it might have the ability to thrive best?

Any suggestions????

 

Can you post a pic?

 

This is the first thing that comes to mind, based on your description.





If that's what it is, you don't want to encourage it.
http://wildflowers.jdcc.edu/Pokeweed.html

 

I believe you're right KDS!
I'm not a native either but after living here for 20 years maybe I qualify to take a guess
I think it might be so called poke weed,the berries could be poisonous but I'm not sure...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pokeweed

 

Speaking of Plant Identification,we've got something sitting in the front yard which leaves resemble those of the trumpet vine but from up close they do look different plus the fact that it is by now a small tree and not a vine.
It resembles the kind of Mountain Ash seen in western NC,I will make a picture and post it here...

 

If that's what it is, the berries are indeed poisonous, as are the roots. Also, what happens to your car after the birds eat the berries is not pretty. But there is a cool song about it. It's a tradition in the mountains of NC to gather poke sallet in the early spring, and cook it in plenty of bacon grease. Once the stems begin to show any red color, the season for picking and eating poke sallet has ended, because even the stems and foliage are poisonous then.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6diOn54OWs

 

Rose of Sharon?

 

Here is a up close picture of the one I mentioned above

 

this is how it looks from afar

 

Pokeweed I think it is! ???s

Okay, so I have no clue about the pokeweed, but now I know it's poisoned through and through.

WHAT IF I let it grow? Anybody know how big it gets and if it is suitable as a plant in ANY way?

Thank you ahead of time for the poison info, though...I will be watching ALL that come near it for now, including my curious kitty!

 

It will grow 6 to 8 feet tall and bushy. Birds like the berries. Things that are poisonous to us are not necessarily poisonous to other creatures, and vice versa. Birds can eat the berries of poison ivy, too. I do let pokeweed grow at the back of my property for the birds, but I pull it up if it comes up near the house or in the front yard.

 

OK, I was wrong about the Rose of Sharon, obviously. I have to think on this one some more.

 

It resembles Red Mountain Ash actually more than White Mtn.Ash,it does not have any berries but then again it might not be old enough.

 

I agree, the leaves on white ash are not that serrated. Is it something a previous owner planted? When I guessed Rose of Sharon, I was thinking of something that would come up as a volunteer.

 

No it just came up a few years ago. But I seem to remember us bringing back some of those berries from one of the trips to the Mountains,maybe they actually took root? I just did not think that they were able to grow in this region but then again you can also find plants such as hemlock,rhododendron,mountain laurel etc. in certain areas around here so maybe we imported some mountain ash to our front yard here
Thanks for your help!!

 

I have this too! It is growing in my flowerbeds and the roots are long and hard to pull out. It just keeps coming back, some of it even after round-up! I don't know what it is called, but it sure is persistent!

 

Sounds like you've got trumpet vine,it looks very similar but it's not a tree like mine.
We've got trumpet vine as well and you're right,it's impossible to get rid off,sort off like japanese honeysuckle.

 

Thanks for the i.d.! Still don't know what to do with it, though it is quite a workout and a funny sight to see me pulling it out of the flower bed!:mrgreen:

 

dry it, roll it, smoke it... :cheers::cheers:

 

I don't smoke, but I'll save it for ya!:ack: