They are sprouting throughout the bed that was recently dug up.
Thanks :)





Edit: I pulled it out, here's a pic.
The stems are purplish on older ones, root is white

Pigweed? Amaranth?

Solanum of some kind.

Pigweed or amaranth was my first impression. But that or solanum, we're still talking generally unwanted.

Hm, I think you guys are right; it is some type of solanum, I recall seeing these somewhere else with insignificant flowers and small green/black berries. Thanks so much!

My first thought was also pigweed; there may be a few types found in Illinois but it reminded me of Redroot Pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus)

More information and photos at this Illinois Wildflower page: https://www.illinoiswildflower...

Could they be pepper plants?

It grows like it belongs in mint family, however theres no specific scent or any other similar characteristics 🤔

Does it have a square stem? Like really square won't roll in your fingers.

That's how the search started, I though it was square but it's not really pronounced. The stem is also more soft and hallow vs woody. Snaps like a dandelion when pulled

Possibly Physalis virginiana, Virginia groundcherry. Your last photo shows a large rhizome like Physalis has.

Yes, Kelly is correct, it's a Physalis.

Not sure which species, there are several that look very similar to each other and I've never figured out how to distinguish them with any certainty.

When we moved here last summer I remember seeing a lot of plants with the hanging pods everywhere! I didnt know what it was but looked exactly like physalis now that I'm looking at the photos! Ahh, thank you, wonderful people!
I'll see what the flowers look like and maybe I'll be able to tell which one it is later on. Wonder if it's edible?

Pigweed is also edible. However, I have a fear of eating it.

General reminder: never eat any part of any plant you are not 100% confident of the identity. Don't even taste with your tongue tip. Especially if there is any possibility it may be in the Solanaceae!!

Pat

Even when wild plants are labeled edible, they may not be that tasty. I've tried a couple, they weren't worth it.