Is so familiar but cannot place it.
has a rhizomatous root and is in a gallon container- to give an idea of the plant size.
Thanks for help

Hi, Greg,
The leaves look a lot like wasabi, the flowers not so much...........Stephanie

Thanks Stephanie...I got the answer, didn't know how to write on here that the IDing has been done. Calin (fixpix) came up with the answer!!
At least it looks right, don't know 100% just know the photos and description seem correct, the name is
Petasites
Cheers

Hi, Greg,
Wow, that's a new one for me! Thanks! Stephanie

I know it was for me too, but when I looked I'm pretty sure that's it!
Thanks Stephanie!

Petasites japonicus looks right for your plant

http://www.missouribotanicalga...

Thanks so much for the link Moonhowl! I assumed they need full sun because that is where the woman I got this from has them, but she has just put them in, I wonder if I should say something to her, she's done so much work...I don't know her I just admired the plant and she had an extra and gave it to me!
I have the perfect spot for this since wet shade is what it likes!! Hooray!
Cheers

You are most welcome Greg. You may want to mention that you were doing a little research on care....I would hate for her to lose her plant to too much sun.

Glad you have a happy home for it.

Moon/Jean

Hi Jean, so this woman planted maybe 7 large plants all along her front yard which is why I'm hesitating, I can't see her digging them up - however I do like your suggestion of how to broach the subject! I don't like coming off negative...but in the end I'm sure she'd appreciate knowing that they're a shade plant!
Cheers (and good meeting you!)

Lovely to meet you also Greg. That is a bit tricky, but the worst that can happen if you do pass along the info is for her to ignore it. At least if you have said something, your conscience will be clear....

Very true!! She doesn't even have a tree in her yard for a touch of shade, its full on east facing sun!

How sad....I hate investing in plants only to discover that I have no good place to plant them. Sounds like there is little hope for those Petasites...although, you could just watch and see what happens...if she has no shade at all, it is rather a moot point to suggest she move them.

That's true, also in reading further, they're invasive and need lots of moisture, they love bogs...so now I'm not really that interested either! I have shade but its not boggy or even very wet, in the summer unless I water. Now I have to figure out who I know has a pond and give them this but tell them to plant in a pot! (although one comment on the link you shared, said that the rhizomes can grow out of the drainage holes I guess if they like boggy, one doesn't need to have drainage holes at all

I know that it is eaten as a veggie in Japan...maybe that is how you control it... Since it likes lots of moisture, maybe a solid container would work best.

I was thinking of looking for a recipe, but I only have 2 leaf stalks so it'd be a very meager side dish!

That would just barely qualify as an appetizer According to this link, you would start with 500 grams of Fuki...(P japonica)

http://poslfit.homeip.net/reci...

Haha, oh well! (I don't cook much anyway, so that's probably good!) I know 2 people with ponds...its gotta go I'm thinking!

Sounds like a plan. I was given the prettiest Piper auritum Root Beer plant a few years ago. Just told it likes shade....that beggar is everywhere...we rip it out by the barrow load. It has climbed all through the ferns and gingers with its underground root system. It is a lovely plant but needs a "prison" to keep it in check.

Yes, that is a problem which I don't want to take on!!

My great aunt used to say If you know your enemies well, it is easy to recognize your friends....I was never sure what she meant until i started gardening.