Three-seeded Mercury from Jeff in SC (Oconee Co.)

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This plant has found its way into my garden and lawn. It appears to grow rapidly and has a deep, red looking root. It grows about 1 to 2 feet tall. It likes to grow in clusters. Simple, serrated, lanceolate shaped leaf.
Leaf arrangement is alternate and leaf attachment is petioled. There are no hairs or thorns on plant. Stem seems to be round.

Jeff,

your plant is a rather common annual weed called three-seeded mercury, Acalypha rhomboidea.  It may have become this robust because you used fertilizer, or because it had lots of water.  It is generally not too aggressive, and it is a native wildflower.  It is easy to eradicate if you wish if you just keep pulling them up.

Sincerely,

Dr. Steven R. Hill, Botanist, SCNPS

 

 

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