Help! Please identify this plant!

Hi All,

A few weeks ago, seedlings sprouted in my zinnia pot. At first, I thought they were self-sown from last year due to my little thieves (goldfinches). But now I am not so sure. The leaves don't resemble zinnias and I can't identify them. Please identify this plant.





Thank you.

 

Lamb's quarter??

Hi, thanks for getting back to me. I am frantic at this point. No odor when the leaves are crushed, and it definitely doesn't look like my mature zinnias.

I purchased a book on common weeds, it might be lamb's quarters. Yikes!! Unfortunately...it's very happy in my zinnia pot. I will have to carefully evict it this weekend. Thanks so much for post a response.

 

Update: Not taking any chances. I am removing them from my garden (I hope I don't regret it) but I have a lot of time and money invested in blooming perennials and I don't want an invasive 'plant' to take over. Photos from the deck...coming this summer.

 

Thank you everyone!! You saved my butterfly garden!!

Thank you so much for the confirmation. I was so surprised at their growth overnight after a day of sunshine!! I knew I was in trouble. Happily I have removed as much as possible and I will keep a vigilant watch over my butterfly garden as the summer progresses.

Yikes!! I have heard of poke or polk salad, but not this stuff. My goodness! I am so glad you don't have to dine on these anymore. I am also glad you were able to identify them before they spread to any more of my containers!! My butterfly garden is safe for now!!

Absolutely!! Sommer, I can't begin to express how happy I am that someone recognized these plants right away! I was certain they were zinnias because they came from the same container and I thought they were self sown!! Yikes!! Happily all containers have been cleansed, repacked with fresh potting soil and filled with perennials. I even added a shepherd's hook to this pot and put a humming bird feed above it! I hope I get a few visitors!! :biggrin: