#2 sorry don't know how to put them all in one post

last one stem. Thanks

I'm changing my vote to ground ivy (aka, creeping charlie)! The stems being green and not purple, and each leaf having its own stem rather than being attached to the main stem changed my mind.

It looks a lot like what I call Henbit. I have taken a picture of what it looks like at different stages, small, bushy, and blooming stage. The insects are even trying to work it today.

Larry

Its Henbit. I've pulled it every year for 30 years. You all must be thinking of the way the mature plant looks, otherwise I cannot understand the ID problem. This is what it looks like when its young. It is not just a single branch. It branches out and then later has those thicker leaves and flowers like whorls up a square stem.

Lamium amplexicaule

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/WEEDS/henbit.html

Here is another photo.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://search.aol.com/aol/imageDetails?s_it=imageDetails&q=henbit+seedling&img=http%3A%2F%2Fextension.udel.edu%2Fkentagextension%2Fwp-content%2Fblogs.dir%2F11%2Ffiles%2Fblogger%2F_8xC9bwq6AVU%2FSQBIjqG5JPI%2FAAAAAAAAEe8%2FSfCNq7QEJDQ%2Fs1600%2F004.JPG&v_t=nscpsearch&host=http%3A%2F%2Fextension.udel.edu%2Fkentagextension%2Ftag%2Fhenbit%2F&width=121&height=161&thumbUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ft2.gstatic.com%2Fimages%3Fq%3Dtbn%3AANd9GcTs75avZmiK4ofqfHbtCiyPuUVRFQbdAu5hjOreZsTGydcta4JTc8-HAHg%3Aextension.udel.edu%2Fkentagextension%2Fwp-content%2Fblogs.dir%2F11%2Ffiles%2Fblogger%2F_8xC9bwq6AVU%2FSQBIjqG5JPI%2FAAAAAAAAEe8%2FSfCNq7QEJDQ%2Fs1600%2F004.JPG&b=image%3Fq%3Dh%3DimageResultsBack%26v_t%3Dnscpsearch%26oreq%3D96b508c0ed0d4601a56ccff0dfa03f8d&imgHeight=1600&imgWidth=1200&imgTitle=henbit+%7C+University+of+Delaware+Kent+County+Agricultural+Extension&imgSize=491595&hostName=extension.udel.edu

delete post

This post was edited by GreatPlains1 on Wed, Nov 20, 13 at 17:36

Larry's is henbit. I think Sorie's looks like ground ivy, but the previous pictures with the little round leaves did not look familiar. You will know when it blooms. Henbit and dead nettle decline in late spring or summer. Ground ivy is all year and more of a threat crowding small plants.

I am lucky; I just looked and I have it all. My ground ivy has darker, shiny leaves. I have chickweed too. I see why it is confusing because mine is growing together. Side by side I can tell them apart.

This post was edited by helenh on Wed, Nov 20, 13 at 16:41

Ok so henbit is the same as dead nettle or related? I had dead nettle (or that's what they called it)in Colo but used it as a ground cover. I really liked it and it didn't spread like this does. thanks everyone.

I offer you my condolences. You'll never be rid of it. (Creeping Charlie)

I'm not sure, but I think it is kinda picky on the pH to thrive, but it spreads so fast, it'll find a way.

There is an ornamental lamium that has better behavior and looks good longer. You will not have the urge to cultivate henbit or dead nettle. Ground ivy can fool you because it is an attractive plant. I liked it until I found out that it takes over. I keep going out and looking at my weeds since you brought this up.

I went out and looked at my winter weeds after reading this thread yesterday morning and one of my favorite wildflowers already has sprouted---Texas bluebonnets. They usually don't sprout this early, but it has been a strange weather year and the plants have behaved accordingly.

I finally saw this blooming on a walk today. The stem did look square and the fowers are purple. Guess mine just hadn't matured yet. Guess I do have henbit :>( thanks for your info everyone)