What are these weeds, are any edible or have any other use in permaculture?

Discussion in 'Planting, growing, nurturing Plants' started by beginnergardener, Aug 16, 2018.

  1. beginnergardener

    beginnergardener Junior Member

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    Does anyone know what these weeds are, if any are edible or have any other uses in permaculture?

    Third picture I mean the one
     

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  2. mischief

    mischief Senior Member

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    Hi,
    The first one is a sow thistle. Check that out to make sure.
    If it is, it is edible, although I dont find it particularly tasty.
    I always let them grow cos I understand them to be a beneficial insect plant as well as a something good to add to the compost when it is finished.

    The second one, I dont recognise.

    The third, sort of looks like a brassica, to me, maybe turnip top but Im not sure,
    That should give you something to go by to check out pics on the net.
    If you le them flow, that will give you more information to decide what you have there.
     
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  3. beginnergardener

    beginnergardener Junior Member

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    Thanks, I'll take some more pictures of the second two and another one later to see if it's easier to see then.
     
  4. songbird

    songbird Senior Member

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    both first and third picture look like brassica or mustard ish to me, but i'm
    not an expert in plant id...

    plants we call sow thistle here are much different than pic 1.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonchus (there are quite a few different kind
    but none look to me to have that rounded of leaves)...

    no idea about the 2nd pic at all. has it flowered?
     
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  5. beginnergardener

    beginnergardener Junior Member

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    Second one hasn't flowered yet, first one is about to flower, I'll wait till they flower then take some more pictures.
     
  6. beginnergardener

    beginnergardener Junior Member

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    Here are some photos of plant 3 one shows the flower and one shows before the flower, the leaves are a bit prickly slightly as well.

    Also what is this fine ground cover is it useful in permaculture?
     

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  7. mischief

    mischief Senior Member

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    I'm pretty sure its some sort of brassica. Have you had a look to see what the roots are like?
    No idea on the ground cover one though, pretty leaves.
     
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  8. 9anda1f

    9anda1f Administrator Staff Member

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  9. beginnergardener

    beginnergardener Junior Member

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    Thanks for the replies, here's two other plants that would be interesting to know if any have any specific uses.
     

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  10. songbird

    songbird Senior Member

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    while the far away pictures are useful to establish the overall plant habit of growth/shape
    closer pictures will really help. :) closeup pictures of leaves, flowers and stems.

    the first one looks like a climbing viney weed we have here. does it get a lot of
    small white flowers? very hard to get rid of in a garden if there's any of it able to
    flower and drop seeds. we're currently mowing the area where it was before i'm
    not sure that will get rid of it either as even the bits that are along the ground can
    flower and drop seeds. if i see any when i walk through that area i'll pull them out
    to discourage them.
     
  11. johnw7000

    johnw7000 Junior Member

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    Last edited: Oct 22, 2018
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  12. John Morrison

    John Morrison Junior Member

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    This is an interesting thread
    I've recently found a book on edible weeds
    It's at this link
    https://g.co/kgs/SJeJke
    It's about local Australian plants and may be of benefit to you
    Regards
    John
     
  13. johnw7000

    johnw7000 Junior Member

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    Hi John, yeah thats a cool book. I also have a few of Tim Lows books which are brilliant. I have his out of print Wild Foods of Australia and New Zealand on PDF if you're interested I can email it to you. Its got a lot of wild edibles and receipes as well which might be of interest to you.

    Cheers
     
    Last edited: Oct 22, 2018
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  14. John Morrison

    John Morrison Junior Member

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    Yes I would like that PDF if you can email it to me that would be great
     

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