While weeding my new shrub border, I found several volunteer plants that are unknown to me. I would welcome ID and recommendations to get rid of them or welcome them as desirable wildflowers or interesting natives.

1. About 4 feet tall (so far) with leaves 9 -12 inches in diameter:




2. About 2 1/2 feet tall and 18 inches wide:




3. About 18 inches tall and wide with long strap-like leaves about 9 inches long:

recently a similar identification

The thread "What the heck is this thing?" in Plant ID forum
new - The thread "Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti)" in Plant ID forum

The thread "American Burnweed (Erechtites hieraciifolius); in the daylily compost bin" in Plant ID forum
The thread "American Burnweed (Erechtites hieraciifolius)" in Plant ID forum

Maybe Myosotis sp
but it's big enough
or Echium ... vulgare ?

or
The thread "Common Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)" in Plant ID forum
the first year, growing only ground-level rosette

Thanks for the suggestions. However, none of the photos look quite like the ones I have. Mysotis doesn't match either. I am still stumped.

The first is Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti). The second is American Burnweed (Erechtites hieraciifolius). I can't even guess on the third, sorry.

csandt said:
About 4 feet tall (so far) with leaves 9 -12 inches in diameter:

csandt,
It's a good idea to post only one plant per thread to avoid confusion.

@KentPfeiffer is most likely correct for the Velvetleaf. My suggestion was different and may well be incorrect.

My 'guess' was different for the first plant...do the leaves and stems feel 'sticky'? I cannot see the image clearly; are the leaf margins smooth or are they kind of toothy? I am thinking what you may have is a Paulownia tomentosa. Truly and beautiful tree but horribly invasive. I used to grow this tree in Connecticut without many problems, but here in this much warmer climate the tree is horrid. I cut one down recently and like an octopus the tree has made new plants that are coming up as suckers from underground roots, some as far away as 25 feet. If my ID is the correct one please remove the tree and every portion of root before it is too late.

Here is a link which compares the Paulownia to the Velvetleaf:
http://www.walterreeves.com/na...

For the third plant could it be Rumex crispus or something similar?

csandt said:Thanks for the suggestions. However, none of the photos look quite like the ones I have. Mysotis doesn't match either. I am still stumped.

I think that the leaves are all the same, as irregular teeth

I can confirm that #1 is indeed Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti), as identified by Kent Pfeiffer. I checked under a leaf and found a characteristic yellow flower and seedpods.

In this area, Paulownia grows along the Susquehanna River and some of its tributaries. I live on a drought-prone hill about 2 miles from the river. I love its beautiful purple flowers.

#2 is indeed American-Burnweed-Erechtites-hieraciifolius. I could not tell that from the images posted on ATP, so I googled it and found an image that clearly matches.

As for Rumex (dock) for #3, I was amazed at the number of different species of dock there are in the world. Mine resembles curly dock (Rumex crispus), as suggested by greene.

Bottom line: I think you all have identified all three of my mystery guests. I think that I will keep #1 and discard # 2 and #3.

Thank you so much for your help! Thanks too for suggesting one mystery plant per posting! I will do that if future unknown plants pop up.

CS, I am glad to see you added your photo of the American Burnweed to the database. These wild things can vary so especially from one area of the country to another and varying growing conditions etc...