Knowledgebase

What is this weed? #872137

Asked June 07, 2024, 7:27 PM EDT

This plant is growing like crazy in my backyard right now and I'd just like to know what it is. I live in the Denver metro.

Arapahoe County Colorado

Expert Response

Hi Melissa,

Thank you for reaching out to Ask Extension, and apologies for the delay in responding!

I reached out to some colleagues for help in identifying your plant. This is a tough one, and there was not a concensus. It might be a senecio, but without a flower this is difficult to ID. 

Is it possible to send a pic of the flower on this plant, to help better ID this for you?

Thanks,

Dawn

Dawn Fradkin Replied June 21, 2024, 1:03 PM EDT
Here is one. Thanks!

On Fri, Jun 21, 2024, 11:03 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied June 21, 2024, 1:20 PM EDT

Hi Melissa,

Thank you for the picture of the flower! It helps a lot with the ID of plants.

We think you have a Hoary Tansyaster, either the Dieteria canescens or Dieteria bigelovii. 

These are a native species and can be an annual, biennial and sometimes a short lived perennial and they can easily hybridize. Here is more information for you:

https://www.swcoloradowildflowers.com/Blue%20Purple%20Enlarged%20Photo%20Pages/dieteria.htm 

I hope this helps, thank you again for the flower picture!

Dawn

Dawn Fradkin Replied June 22, 2024, 8:44 AM EDT
Thank you so much for the ID!!

On Sat, Jun 22, 2024, 6:44 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied June 22, 2024, 4:42 PM EDT

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