On Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:20:01 +0100, "Spider"
wrote:


"robert" wrote in message
...
Grateful for a name to these:

Http://www.flickr.com/photos/robertindevon/?saved=1

(Clump of plants in front of the pieris and behind the euonymous).

They started to appear in the garden last year and are now popping up
everywhere.

Linear leaves, up to 22mm wide and 400mm long, with very slightly serrated
edges, no indication of flowers.

Location S Devon redlands, garden used to be part of broadleafed woodland.

--
Robert


It looks very like Pendulous Sedge, which may have come from the original
woodland. However, there's an outside chance it could be Colchicum. If the
leaves are leathery, it's probably Pendulous Sedge; if they're fleshier and
softer like hyacinth leaves, then they could be Colchicum. Chances are,
though, it's the sedge. It's really quite attractive; some people like it
and choose to grow it, but it can be a bit thuggish. If you don't want it,
pull it up, but you may choose to see it flower first. If you do, but
decide not to keep it, don't allow it to flower or you'll have it forever.
I've got some in a wildish woodland area, but I have to be strict with it.

I should say (just in case it's Colchicum) that it's a choice bulb which
flowers late summer/autumn, so you'll have to wait to see it flower. Worth
it, though :~)

Spider

I don't think it's colchicum. In my experience that has wider leaves.
If it is the sedge and you let it seed, you will have problems, as
Spider says. In my Mum's garden it seeded itself in cracks in old
crazy paving and became a menace.
Letting it "flower" will give you more idea what it is. Hardly a
flower to enjoy.
I'll bow to Spider's superior knowledge as to which sedge it is!



Pam in Bristol