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happybird

(5,113 posts)
Mon Mar 18, 2024, 05:14 PM Mar 2024

Can anyone ID this wildflower?

Saw it on my walk yesterday and can't find it in my wildflower field guide.

Northern Virginia, it was very small, maybe 5" tall, and I looked all around the vicinity, it was the only one. Maybe it's just a weed??



Thanks!

12 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Can anyone ID this wildflower? (Original Post) happybird Mar 2024 OP
IMO, 'just a weed' is a flower/plant we don't like or want. elleng Mar 2024 #1
Toothwort Traildogbob Mar 2024 #2
Remember that BS they told us in schools? carpetbagger Mar 2024 #5
Thirty years of teaching Traildogbob Mar 2024 #6
Catch is one plant can have multiple binomial names IbogaProject Mar 2024 #11
Thank you! happybird Mar 2024 #7
Glad to dust off the brain Traildogbob Mar 2024 #9
Cutleaf toothwort, aka pepper root, purple-flowered toothwort, crow's-toes. Ocelot II Mar 2024 #3
Thank you! happybird Mar 2024 #8
Just so you're not confused... carpetbagger Mar 2024 #4
Thank you! happybird Mar 2024 #10
It is pretty !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Trueblue1968 Mar 2024 #12

elleng

(136,043 posts)
1. IMO, 'just a weed' is a flower/plant we don't like or want.
Mon Mar 18, 2024, 05:17 PM
Mar 2024

I'd say this is NOT 'just a weed,' but some gardening experts will probably identify it for you.

Traildogbob

(9,969 posts)
2. Toothwort
Mon Mar 18, 2024, 05:17 PM
Mar 2024

Dentaria laciniata
Mustard family. Brassicaceae, Flowers can be pink or white.
This Latin name is from Audubon 1979 pub.
Names change a lot. Tough on botany, Dendrology and wildlife teachers.

carpetbagger

(4,778 posts)
5. Remember that BS they told us in schools?
Mon Mar 18, 2024, 05:34 PM
Mar 2024

"Latin binomial names don't change and allow scientists to use the same name everywhere"

Traildogbob

(9,969 posts)
6. Thirty years of teaching
Mon Mar 18, 2024, 05:39 PM
Mar 2024

Dendrology, 120 species and in botany around 50 wildflowers, and many wildlife. I have seen many change during my 30. Common occurrence.
Same with insects and diseases in plants and animals. We had to adapt.
The real lies I heard in High school, Latin is a dead language. Not when you live science of plants and animals.

IbogaProject

(3,645 posts)
11. Catch is one plant can have multiple binomial names
Mon Mar 18, 2024, 06:54 PM
Mar 2024

More common with plants away from Europe so there can be names from two or more crews and languages.

carpetbagger

(4,778 posts)
4. Just so you're not confused...
Mon Mar 18, 2024, 05:32 PM
Mar 2024

Both D lacinata and C concatinata are the same plant, the latter being the current name used by most taxonomists.

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