Question about a weed

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Posted by mrbrownthumb z5 Chicago (My Page) on

Mon, Nov 6, 06 at 0:00

There's this weed that I see all over the city that I saw today and triggered memories from my childhood. It's a low growing plant: the leaves are large and wide like a EEs or a hosta, solid green & velvety.

Sorry I can't take a pic...but I'm so curious and I'm hoping someone else has spotted them.

What the heck is it?

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RE: Question about a weed

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Posted by liza_jaramillo Z6 City Chicago (My Page) on
Tue, Nov 7, 06 at 10:13

I am not sure if this is what your talking about but i think its called burdock. I have one in the yard I try to kill but its roots go down to china I think lol. Has huge monsterous leaves and they crack like a celery stalk. I let itgrow this year because people actually thought I planted it there (next to the mini pond on purpose). Someone actually gave me a compliment on that thing lol.

RE: Question about a weed

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Posted by mrbrownthumb z5 Chicago (My Page) on
Tue, Nov 7, 06 at 19:46

Liza,

That's it! I'm thinking of growing it too. I just googled it and noticed the plant has a wiki page...did you know that the seeds gave a Swiss inventor the idea for Velcro?

Funny that such a humble plant gave us one of the best inventions ever.

Here is a link that might be useful: Burdock

RE: Question about a weed

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Posted by liza_jaramillo Z6 City Chicago (My Page) on
Tue, Nov 7, 06 at 20:18

wow thats some interesting stuff I didnt know. I found better pics when I looked up common burdock. I hope you can find some seeds. I wonder if anyone sells it.

RE: Question about a weed

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Posted by mrbrownthumb z5 Chicago (My Page) on
Wed, Nov 8, 06 at 0:03

Next summer I'll just take a walk through some empty lots near my house and then sow my clothes. LOL. I remember how horrible it was as a kid to get covered in those seed when you were chasing after a ball that made it into an undeveloped lot, or having to pull them out of your pet's fur.

Thanks for responding with the answer.

RE: Question about a weed

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Posted by liza_jaramillo Z6 City Chicago (My Page) on
Wed, Nov 8, 06 at 2:52

np I actually am supprised there was a question I could answer

RE: Question about a weed

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Posted by eliane 5 (My Page) on
Fri, Nov 10, 06 at 20:03

Don't plant it!!! IT IS A WEED!!! Be afraid...be very afraid!
I don't like sounding so melodramatic but a few years ago we almost had to euthanize our poor little long haired dog because of this devil-weed. I certainly see the connection to Velcro, but if Velcro was like this weed and not tamed down to...well...Velcro, it would probably be outlawed.

RE: Question about a weed

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Posted by mrbrownthumb z5 Chicago (My Page) on
Mon, Nov 13, 06 at 23:05

It was that bad huh eliane? Well maybe I won't grow it.

RE: Question about a weed

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Posted by liza_jaramillo Z6 City Chicago (lizajaramillo@hotmail.com) on
Tue, Nov 14, 06 at 17:32

Its not that bad now. When it starts growing the stalk to flower all you do is cut the stalk off and it never blooms and the leaves stay big, thats exactly what I did. And you never have to see the seeds. Your not trying to grow fields and let it run wild. If you want it I say go for it mrbrownthumb

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