Mulberry Weed, Another Fireweed, Panicled Aster

These three plants are from recent session of "Whats That Plant" at the Natural History Society.  They  have not been on the neighborhood list but are almost certainly here, just overlooked.  You can follow Whats That Plant on Meetup. The photos are from the internet since not yet locally noted, and for the same reason the description is brief.

Mulberry weed or hairy crabweed (Fatoua villosa) is a relatively new invasive proving hard to control.  The leaves are alternately arranged, triangular with serrated margins.  Both leaves and stems are lightly hairy.  Flowers are green to purple and at the leave axils.  Plants can get to four feet high.  The seeds are said to jump as much as four feet.  It is found in shaded disturbed areas but may also show up in nursery containers.  It is native to eastern china.

The panicked aster (Symphotricum lanceolatum) is another daisy-like plant very likely to be in the neighborhood.  The stems are between 1 and 3 feet, green to reddish, occasionally grooved, sometimes with a line of fine white hairs.  The leaves are narrow lanceolate, smooth margins, up t o5 inches long but smaller near the top of the plant.  Foliage may become purple in the fall.  The flowers are 1/2-3/4 inches with white ray florets surrounding the yellow disc florets.  It is most common in low areas with occasionally standing water.  Look for a reticulated network of veins on the leaves.

We see the eastern version of fireweed, Erechtites, frequently but less of the great willow herb, Chamaenerion angustifolium.   (aka epilobium).   The reddish stems grow to 8 feet in height. The leaves are spirally arranges, lanceolate, entire and pinnately veined.   There is a continuous marginal vein.  Fireweed implies a pioneer species colonizing open  disturbed areas. The flowers are pink to purple about one inch on a terminal raceme.   In war torn areas it is known as the bomb plant, since it colonizes craters.

So this is a BOLO, be on the lookout, notice for these plants, may extend the search into Lake Roland.