Identify this leaf

Discussion in 'Identification Area' started by Humberboy, Apr 14, 2025.

  1. Humberboy

    Humberboy Apprentice Gardener

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    Can anyone identify this plant/weed leaf. They seem to be popping up every were.
    Any suggestions would be appreciated
     

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  2. Pete8

    Pete8 Super Gardener

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    Could be Jack in the Hedge - it's all over the place in my garden.
     
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    • Escarpment

      Escarpment Total Gardener

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      Yes, looks like it. Does it have a garlicky smell? Jack by the Hedge is also known as garlic mustard and recipes can be found for it if you google.
       
    • Palustris

      Palustris Total Gardener

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      And home to the Orange tip butterfly, but it is a terrible weed thug.
       
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      • Humberboy

        Humberboy Apprentice Gardener

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        Hi No it does not smell of Garlic. This is what I thought it was but I put out the question to see what people thought.
         
      • Pete8

        Pete8 Super Gardener

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        Maybe the young plants haven't yet developed the garlicky smell yet.
        I'll go pull a leaf on one of mine in a while when it dries up a bit. I'll have a sniff and report back.

        The only other plant that springs to mind is wild violets.
        Again, I get loads in my garden that just appear singly or in clumps similar to yours.
        Some have small leaves similar to your photo. Others I see in the field where I walk with my pooch develop much larger leaves.
         
      • Thevictorian

        Thevictorian Gardener

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        It looks like what I've always known as garlic mustard or hedge garlic.
         
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        • Humberboy

          Humberboy Apprentice Gardener

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          Thanks for these comments. So I have a cunning plan. They are in a patch about the size of a Dustbin Lid under a Viburnum Tinus where the sparrows all flock too.
          I am going to pull them out but pot some up and see what becomes of them.
          If they are Garlic then I will know for next time. If they do turn out to be wild violets
          then they can stay next year as my wife will be very pleased to have them. I will also try to laminate some of the leaves as a reference for future.
          I will report back at some stage.
           
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          • Pete8

            Pete8 Super Gardener

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            I couldn't find any Jack in the Hedge seedlings, but I have quite a number of plants about to flower. The leaves do have a hint of garlic.
            upload_2025-4-15_16-8-17.jpeg


            and some violets in my garden - those around the fields down the road have leaves 2-3x the size.

            upload_2025-4-15_16-8-38.jpeg

            PS - I've just noticed my neighbour has a clump of Honesty in their front garden - looks very similar
             
            Last edited: Apr 15, 2025
          • Humberboy

            Humberboy Apprentice Gardener

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            Dear All. Problem now solved. Found a larger plant last night and when I folded and crushed the leaves definite smell of Garlic.
            So I now have something to do over the Easter Weekend digging them all out.
            Thanks for your replies and Happy Easter to one and all.
             
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            • Butterfly6

              Butterfly6 Super Gardener

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              It does seed around but in my experience it’s very easy to pull up, no digging required. It’s also not at all thuggish in terms of its impact on other plants. Yes, prolific on bare soil but easily crowded out by other plants.

              As already said an important food source for the Orange Tip and Green Veined White caterpillars
               
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