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knotweed - or something else?

dmudzdmudz Posts: 2
in Plants

Hi, can anyone help me identify what this is - its begun springing up at the bottom of some old shrubs - never seen before in the last 5 years. It doesn't look like knotweed to me, but I've already had a few comments from neighbours - can anyone help? It doesn't have the typical purple asparagus-like tips of emerging knotweed - but it is vigorous and seems to be spreading. Any ideas what this might be, and how to eliminate it? Many thanks!

Posts

  • Alan Clark2 in LiverpoolAlan Clark2 in Liverpool Posts: 1,991
    edited May 2020
    Common broomrape, a parasitic plant. I think I would keep it!

    https://wildflowerfinder.org.uk/Flowers/B/Broomrape(Common)/Broomrape(Common).htm
  • dmudzdmudz Posts: 2
    That's brilliant - thank you for the super speedy (and hugely relieving) answer! Phew! 
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 1,968
    How lucky you are to have such a magnificent collection of broomrape. Agree with @AlanClark2 in Liverpool keep them.
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 1,968
    What are the old shrubs? Broomrapes being parastic (but they don't kill their hosts) are specific to certain species. Would love to know what they are parastising.
    According to Francis Rose Wild Flower key your photo looks more like bedstraw broomrape-especially if you live in Kent.
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,226
    edited May 2020
    Fantastic...very envious!!!!
    Please do add more good close ups as it opens.

    Will need to go away and read up ...don't know the different sp.
    Could it be on ivy?

    Ivy Broomrape - Orobanche hederae

    https://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/ivy-broomrape



    Just looking on www...no idea that we had so many in UK
    Found this....
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,531
    Sorry, but I have to mention this:  a friend of mine was having a chat on the phone in which broomrape was mentioned.  After the call ended, her young son said "Broomrape? is that a film?"  I prefer its other common name, bird's nest orchid.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 82,743
    edited May 2020
    Different plants @josusa47

    Birds Nest Orchid is Neottia nidus-avis

    Broomrape is Orobanche reticulata or other variants depending on the host plant. 

    😊 
    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,531
    So it is!  I stand corrected.  
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,226
    edited May 2020


    Broomrape is Orobanche reticulata or other variants depending on the host plant. 

    😊 
    In my link above it lists 10 different Orobanche for UK...which amazed me.
    Not just Orobanche reticulata which you mention above ...common name thistle broom rape.
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
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