WHAT IS THIS????

[catjac1975]

I noticed this strange stalk coming up by the river. It is about a foot tall, very sturdy and interesting stalk, and a sad little tuft of leaves at the top. It looks like a sprout with more to come. I think it is wild, but, I have been known to buy weird things, plant them and forget about them. Any ideas about the Massachusetts plant?

 

[The Mama Chicken]

It looks a little bit like my ginger...kinda...sorta...but not really.

 

[Carol Dee]

http://www.ifood.tv/blog/growing-bamboo-shoot

I think it looks like BAMBOO !!! I thought so as soon as I saw it, then questioned that when I saw where you live!
Check out the link above.

 

[catjac1975]

I thought about ginger but, there is no wild ginger for a cold climate, is there?

 

[ninnymary]

It looks like my bamboo. It should grow fairly quickly and tall. Have you ever seen it there before?

Mary

 

[The Mama Chicken]

I don't think ginger would overwinter in your area Cat, but I may be wrong. When I tear a piece of leaf off of mine it smells like ginger, so you might try that, just to check.

 

[thistlebloom]

I agree with bamboo, and there are species that are hardy in temperate climates.
Definitely in the grass family.

 

[catjac1975]

OOOOOOOOOh dear!
Thanks for your help!

 

[ninnymary]

Catjack, there are 2 types of bamboo, the clumping type and the runner type. The runner type is the one that is very invasive. I once went to my sister in law's friend's house to get some. The yard was covered with it. They had a bobcat there and planned to use it to pull it all out. I tried a couple types with a shovel and it was so compacted, we could'nt get it out. I quickly changed my mind.

I have the clumping type with a bamboo barrier around it. It grows in a clump so it doesn't spread and the barrier was just extra precautions. When I want to divide it, I have to pull the whole thing out and it is still kind of hard to do. Then we split it with an ax.

Is it all over the place? Since it overwinters there perhaps it might be easier to control?

Mary

 

[cmom]

Any ideas what this is. We live in North Central Florida.

Since the board won't let me post images or links, I have posted pictures on My Page.