Can anyone help identify a weed?

[philpowell]

Hello! My first time posting here, and my first Spring as an allotmenteer.

We got a new plot late last Summer, so we've spent most of the Winter clearing the plot, thoroughly digging and weeding. We've managed to get on top of most of the weeds, apart from one little blighter which has appeared.

It seems to appear out of nowhere, and spreads really quickly. It has long, pointy leaves, and white shoots - spreads like a carpet. It's quite tricky to pull up, as it's all individual little shoots, close to the ground - especially difficult to deal with where I have sown seeds.

I'll I can do for now is keep hoeing carefully, and hope my seedlings win the fight, and grow big enough to be weeded properly.

[shirlthegirl43]

Hello and welcome to the vine.

Is there any chance you could post a piccy of the weed to help us out please? (not that I will recognise it to name anyhoo)

[pdblake]

Couch Grass?

[Two_Sheds]

It has long, pointy leaves, and white shoots -

Shoots, or roots?
Pointy like grass?

[philpowell]

I don't *think* it's couch grass (from the little research I've done). It seems to have narrow leaves, rather than blades, and they're definitely sprouting rather than taking root.

I'll try to take a piccie of it when the rain eases off and I can get down there.

[philpowell]

Here's some (rubbish) pics I grabbed earlier - sorry they're a bit blurry: it was lashing down with rain.





The stems seem to have a reddish hue.

[philpowell]

I wonder if it could be Redshank?

Redshank - Weed information - Organic Weed Management

[seasprout]

Yes its Persicaria maculosa, commonly known as Redshank.

[philpowell]

Thanks seasprout - now I know what it is, next job will be to try to keep it under control: lots of hoeing in dry weather I'm guessing. Our allotment was a newly allocated plot, so I'm guessing the Redshank has set seed everywhere - I have a sinking feeling that this could be an ongoing problem...

[Snadger]

Or you could just eat it!

Persicaria maculosa - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[philpowell]

Snadger: not sure if that's what I had in mind for cultivation this year Might have a nibble on it just out of curiosity though!

[Flummery]

I was going to say what Snadger said - but he got there first!