What is this plant?

My mum asked me to find out for her what this plant is. Any ideas anyone? We presume it's from one of the seeds that's fallen out of the bird feeder. She let it grow so she could find out what it is. If it helps, she lives in the SE of England. Thanks.

33 answers
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Jun 17, 2010. 6:23 PMChrysN says:
You can try posting the pictures here http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=38. They seem pretty good at identifying plants.
Jun 18, 2010. 4:04 PMChrysN says:
I didn't realize the buckwheat plant was that pretty.
Jun 12, 2012. 2:05 AMnicelly says:
I don't know, I think it is very beautiful!I like it very much!
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Apr 21, 2011. 8:04 AMthats mr sonic to you says:
it mite just be a young tree if seen young maple trees that look just like that plant
Sep 9, 2009. 11:35 AM=SMART= says:
Mar 29, 2011. 11:42 PMelenwaren says:
thise plant is jayefu
Jul 15, 2010. 5:36 PMluvit says:
come now. i;ve seen buckwheat... you;re looking at alfalfa
Sep 28, 2010. 10:01 AMVirginiaGent says:
Surely you jest. Alfalfa, indeed. This is clearly Micky - look at the stripes!
Sep 28, 2010. 9:57 AMVirginiaGent says:
Judging from the size of the plant in your picture and allowing for time (you originally posted in June; it is now September) I believe that you have a Parus caeruleus on your property. Due to the proximity of the bird feeder, I'm sure you will agree that this was the source - bird seed! You should expect migratory behavior with the changing weather this time of year. However, with some luck and a bit of patience, you may see the little fellow again in the spring.
Aug 29, 2010. 1:43 PMZion_Sphere says:
its been answered many time but buckwheat, we live in derby in a field it grows like the dickens wrote. :)
Aug 24, 2010. 4:27 PMxelalex says:
I am not exactly sure but it could be some kind of ivy.
Aug 10, 2010. 12:26 PMflashj says:
This looks like a job for Gardener's Question Time! http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qp2f
Jul 19, 2010. 8:35 PMAnodean says:
It does look like buckwheat, take a look at this detailed drawing in Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckwheat The proof will likely be if the plant sets those distinctive three sided seeds. If you've got any of that bird seed supply left, you might spy some in it, now. :D Thank you for this - I'd got the silly idea that "buckwheat" must come from some sort of grass species. Color me pink. :)
Jun 17, 2010. 8:47 PMnuckthebuck says:
find your local ffa chapter (future farmers of america) the tudent organizization of this has to know a ton of different plants usually only the plants native to your state( or country) but in america you can ask ffa professors for assistance or go talk to a local flower shop.
Jun 21, 2010. 7:16 AMTamaresque says:
Unfortunately, FFA only operates in the USA and the poster said the photo is from the south east of England, so I don't think they'll be able to help .
Jun 29, 2010. 9:36 PMJamesTB13 says:
Don't the people who assume everyone lives in America really annoy you sometimes?
May 27, 2010. 12:15 AMacidbass says:
 red stemmed dogwood tree looks like it is still a sapling
Jun 28, 2010. 7:59 AMacidbass says:
oh hmmm i am stumped
Oct 24, 2009. 7:16 AMBox-O-Trix says:
May i ask where you live and if you have seen the plant around anywhere else that may indicate that it is native?
Jun 21, 2010. 7:21 AMTamaresque says:
I thought Kew Gardens might offer advice / identification of plants if you sent in a photo, but this is what they say in their FAQs: Plant & gardening enquiries Unfortunately Kew cannot answer gardening questions over the phone or by mail. There are some great resources available online: The BBC web-site provides information for a wide number of queries - see www.bbc.co.uk/gardening For tree advice try www.treehelp.info who run a tree helpline
Jun 18, 2010. 3:12 PMRelientOwl says:
I think it might be Buckwheat too, the strange thing is its not grown there at all, the closest mass production is mid-France and its really common in China. It grows well in drained soil, that's also acidic soil and its sometimes used for feed."Possibly Bird Seed"
Jun 17, 2010. 6:52 PMRelientOwl says:
What kind of bird seed is it?
Jun 18, 2010. 3:02 PMRelientOwl says:
Hmmmmm.
Mar 21, 2010. 4:05 PMseedrive says:
I am sorry to say that this is not a plant at all. Without doubt it's a metal bird feeder wrapped in red, green and white stuff.
Dec 23, 2009. 8:33 AMAngryRedhead says:
I'm sure I'm ridiculously late to the conversation, but I'm also curious.  I have no idea what it is, but I've had similar sorts of plants in my yard too.  I just rip them out as I find them.  Are there horticultural extension offices or master gardener programs or something like that in England?  Here you can contact a local garden/horticultural program with a photo and ask for plant identification.  You can also ask on Dave's Garden, but you need a subscription to post on the forums.
 
Oct 20, 2009. 9:51 PMGorfram says:
It's obviously a three-way mutant, with the stems of a Red-Barked Dogwood, the flowers of a Queen Anne's lace, and the leaves of  a Moonflower. :)

I've got no earthly idea, even after using SMART's plantfinder link, and googling a bit for a Cornus-Daucus-Ipomoea love-child/sport. I can only suggest that you or your Mum take a stem (with at least one leaf & flower, if at all possible) along with your photos to some sort of "Stump the Expert Gardener" event; or at least to a local plant nursery with a knowledgeable staff.

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