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blackdogga

Weed ID?

blackdogga
14 years ago

I cleared an area that had been covered by pinestraw and planted it this spring. Now it's overrun by large (2-3') plants with purple leaves (largest are about 3"). The leaves are broad at the bottom and pointed at the top, and the stems are square like mint. Does anyone know what this is or where I can find a guide to Georgia weeds? Thanks for your help.

Comments (12)

  • vroomp
    14 years ago

    A picture would really help. Are you sure they aren't Coleus?

  • blackdogga
    Original Author
    14 years ago

    THey do look like coleus -- but REALLY big. I didn't know you could post pics here -- I'll give it a try.
    Thanks

  • Iris GW
    14 years ago

    Could be Perilla frutescens - it can be quite weedy.

  • blackdogga
    Original Author
    14 years ago

    Here's a link to flickr -- I hope. http://www.flickr.com/photos/nsteinen.

    esh -- I just looked at a picture of perilla frutescens and it certainly looks like that's what it is. How it got there is another question. Thanks

  • vroomp
    14 years ago

    Wow! That thing does look like a Coleus but, I think Esh is correct. Coleus leaf veins are totaly different.
    Here's your picture:

    If my weeds looked that good, I'd be happy. Here's some info:

    Invasive Plants of Asian Origin Established in the US and Their Natural Enemies  129
    Introduction
    Native to Eastern Asia, the genus
    Perilla contains only one species and
    three varieties. Perilla frutescens is
    well-known in Chinese medicine and
    has a long history of cultivation in
    China[172].
    Species and Related Varieties of
    Perilla in China
    Taxonomy
    Family: Labiatae (Lamiaceae)
    Genus: Perilla L.
    Description
    Perilla frutescens is an erect, annual
    herb that grows 0.3 to 2 m tall. The
    villose stems are purple or green with
    four parallel grooves. Opposite leaves
    are membranous or herbaceous, broadly
    ovate or orbicular, 7-13 cm long and
    4.5-10 cm wide, with mucronate tips,
    a rounded or broad cuneate bases, and
    dentate margins. The pilose surface of
    the leaves may be green or purple on
    both sides, or purple on the underside
    only. Each leaf has seven to eight pairs
    of lateral veins, which are closer together
    near the base. The veins on the upper
    surface are slightly raised, significantly so
    on the underside. The petiole is flat and
    villose. Composed of a pair of flowers,
    the villose corymb inflorescence may
    grow terminally or from the leaf axil.
    The ten-veined, campanulate calyx
    is villous basally outside and yellow
    glandular dotted on the surface, and
    pilose near the inside base, arranged
    in a ring. The calyx is initially about
    3 mm long, but expands to 1.1 cm,
    spreading or drooping and swollen at
    the base when fruited. The labiate calyx
    has a broad upper sepal that is threelobed
    and slightly longer than the lower
    sepal, which has two lanceolate lobes.
    The corolla is campanulate, white to
    magenta, 3-4 mm long, glabrous, and
    slightly pilose outside but less so inside.
    The limb of the corolla is also labiate,
    and composed of a slightly lobed upper
    petal and three-lobed lower petal. The
    sub-globose fruits are reticulate nutlets,
    grayish-brown, about 1.5 mm in diameter.
    In China, flowers and fruits appear in
    August and linger until November to
    December[172].
    Habitat
    P. frutescens grows along roadsides,
    ditches, forest margins, and on
    hillsides.
    Distribution
    P. frutescens occurs naturally and is
    also cultivated in almost all provinces
    of China[172].
    Economic Importance
    P. frutescens is widely cultivated as a
    source of medicine and spices. Perilla oil,
    which is contained in the seed, is edible
    and also used as a preservative[172].

  • blackdogga
    Original Author
    14 years ago

    Thanks -- my husband thinks they're pretty, so I'll leave some but be sure to deadhead them before they set seed.

  • satellitehead
    14 years ago

    that's totally purple shiso =)

    we had some come up wild on the side yard a while back. reseeds like crazy. great to eat.

  • vroomp
    14 years ago

    Same plant.

  • cyrus_gardner
    14 years ago

    This is called "forced opportunity"
    An edible, medicinal , tasty, aromatic plant grown under your feet, at your door steps....
    I went to a great length to root some from store-bought purple shiso. But mine are not that red/purple, maybe because they are not in full sun all day. I have been also growing green shiso. Its leaves are slightly purple on the back too and they are much bigger. They make good wrappers, like grape leaves (Greek dolma=stuffed).
    If You are worried about reseeding, the solution is very easy, just pinch off flower clusters when green. But then, you will not have any next year because they are annuals.

  • blackdogga
    Original Author
    14 years ago

    Cyrus gardner, if you want some seed at the end of the season let me know. If you're anywhere near Carrollton, I'd be glad to dig some for you.

  • cyrus_gardner
    14 years ago

    Thanks Blackdogga,

    Have you eaten them? Are they really shiso?
    If yes, Enjoy! You can pull them up in fall, hang them in a cool fairly dark place. The leave will retain aroma and flavor for a long time, maybe a year.

    I will let you know about your kind offer when the fall comes.
    As I said, I planted some of them from rooting store-baught and they are growing, but not as vigorously as the green variety. But we still have a long summer ahead of us here in Atlanta area.
    cyrus

  • planter-in-tucker
    14 years ago

    I'm sorry this is growing in your yard, but happy that I finally found out what it is. I planted it six years ago and am STILL trying to get rid of it. Each year, there's less, but it has a tendency to hang around. The only good thing about it is that the roots are shallow and the plant is easy to pull out.

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