can anyone tell me what this is?

Hi Everyone,

While moving my plants out of my laundry into my greenhouse today i came accross this on the base of a Galardia, what in the name is that? and more to the point do i just cut it off or is the plant infected, i have never seen anything like it before..

Thanks
Res

 

Just noticed this. I've never seen anything like it either but it looks a gall so i googled and found this:
http://www.science.oregonstate.edu/bpp/Plant_Clinic/agrobacterium/gaillardia.htm
Crown gall- looks very like yours.

 

And this about prevention and cure-
http://greenindustry.uwex.edu/problemdetails.cfm?problemid=1425
Crown gall (herbaceous) - Agrobacterium tumefaciens (H)

Damage

Infected plants exhibit distorted growth or galls on the lower stem. To identify, crown gall surface tissue is the same color and as firm as healthy plant tissue; and swellings cannot be rubbed off of the plant. Roots may appear gnarled, stunted or hairy with mostly small rootlets. Symptomatic plants may also be chlorotic, distorted, grow slowly, have small leaves, and because they're under stress, may be more susceptible to drought and other problems. Galls can crack and become infected with secondary pathogens. Herbaceous plants may be more seriously affected and possibly killed.
Cultural Controls

The most important management strategy for crown gall is sanitation. Clean tools, containers and work surfaces frequently and treat them with a commercial disinfectant, such as 10% bleach or 70% alcohol for at least 30 seconds. Purchase only high quality, disease-free stock; inspect plant stems and roots for galls prior to planting. Propogate from disease-free plants. Avoid plant injury (disease enters through wounds). Rogue infected plants. Crown gall will be a problem where previously infected plants have grown. Plant only non-host species, such as grass, for at least 3 years after removing all infected hosts. Soil fumigation is only partially effective and will not kill existing bacteria from infected roots remaining in the soil. Heat is the only effective method of soil pasteurization.

 

Thanks Liz i have just leapt out of my seat and straight into the greenhouse where i overwintered this as i did not have the room last year to plant it out, so i thought i would over winter it in its pot till this year and plant it out.
my thousand thanks for you to send me this.